Help Alaloul's family to escape war in Gaza

On 4th August 2024, I will be undertaking a swim-run totalling a distance of 94km. The challenge will begin with the Lock-to-Lock swim , starting up river from Oxford, by Farmoor Reservoir, and finishing 10km down river by Godstow Lock (next to The Trout pub, for those familiar). The next part of the challenge will see me run from Godstow Lock, Oxford to Henley-on-Thames, 84km down river where I will be following the Thames Trail Ultra route.

The reason I am doing this is to help get the Alaloul family out of Gaza. They are currently facing unimaginable hardships during the war engulfing Gaza. The Alaloul family (2 parents, 3 sons, 2 daughters and 1 nephew) are trapped in Gaza. Their home, once a sanctuary, has been burned down, and they have been evacuating from one place to another since the first week of the ongoing brutal war. They are emotionally and physically devastated, starved and dehydrated. As long as they stay in Gaza their lives are in grave danger. They urgently need your support to leave Gaza.

Their eldest daughter, Enas, who was taught by my Dad for a number of years in Gaza, came to England 6 years ago to study medicine and has become a member of our family. She is a daughter to my Mum & Dad and a sister to my siblings and I. My Dad visits her family every time he goes to Gaza. He has eaten with them in their home, as well as laughed and cried with them – they are his Gazan family. Their warmth, resilience, and kindness have left a lasting impression on him and, in turn, us, the Maynard's.

I cannot stand by idly while our friends suffer. That's why I am undertaking this challenge and reaching out to you today to join our campaign and make a difference in the lives of the Alaloul family.

Break of the funds:

Funds will be used to facilitate their exit to a safer place. To secure an exit through the Rafah border, each family member has to pay $5k for Hala Company to facilitate their exit to Egypt (and $2.5k for children under the age of 16). This makes it a total of $37,5K (roughly £30K).

Another extra £5K will go towards securing accommodation, emergency relief fund on arrival, travel documents, and any other expenses while they can hopefully apply for a visa for a third country from Egypt.

The GoFundMe page’s transaction fee is 2.9% + £0.25 deducted automatically from each donation. This adds around £1.2K.

£6K has already been secured through other means.

Total funds needed are £36.2K. We at this point aim to raise at least £25K.

My Dad has already started raising via another GoFundMe page but this is my attempt at helping to raise anything possible to secure their exit from Gaza.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Your generous contributions will go directly towards assisting them as they navigate through this challenging period.

Spread the Word: Share our campaign with your friends, family, and colleagues. Together, we can amplify our efforts and reach more people who are willing to lend a helping hand.

The Alaloul family's dilemma is a stark reminder of the urgent need for solidarity and compassion in times of crisis. By coming together as a community, we can offer them a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness and support them on their journey towards a brighter future.

The situation in Gaza remains uncertain, horrifying, and unsafe. If the war is put to an end or evacuation becomes unattainable or impractical for any or all family members, your contributions will be directed towards ensuring their dignity and well-being in the face of adversity. Please donate and share the campaign with your network. Words cannot express how grateful I am for all your support.

Thank you.

Paddy