Hi everyone,

As you all know, the reason I started the Hike Club was not just to get outdoors and spend time together, but also to create a platform that can offer support to anyone who might need it. Right now, I don't think there's a more urgent issue in the world than the current situation in Gaza, where people are in desperate need of help.

With that in mind, I’d like to use the next two hikes to help raise funds for much-needed humanitarian aid. The charity I am choosing is https://dignity4palestine.org/ and all funds raised will be donated directly to their website. The Dignity for Palestinians campaign is a community-based initiative in Gaza providing essential support like food parcels, clean water, and basic health services to displaced and vulnerable families.

The June hike will be on Sunday the 29th starting at 9am. The idea is to make it a family-friendly event where everyone is welcome—you can bring family, partners, kids, and friends. If you'd like, you can make a donation on the day. The plan is to go to Cruagh, a lovely, accessible trail in the Dublin Mountains. It’s about an hour-long walk, suitable for all ages and fitness levels. There will be baked goods available, a coffee van on site, and plenty of parking. It’s a great opportunity for everyone to get involved, even if they’re not regular hikers.

The July hike will be Lugnaquilla, on July 27th and starting at 8am. It is the highest peak in Leinster at 925 meters, and will serve as the main fundraising event. This hike will be a more challenging one, taking around 5–6 hours to complete depending on pace and weather. It’s a rewarding hike but does require a reasonable level of fitness and good footwear. We’ll take a steady pace, stick together as a group, and support each other along the way.

By taking on something more demanding, I'm hoping we can raise additional awareness and funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza.