A group of friends from Belfast are preparing to take on the Mournes Mountain Seven Sevens challenge to raise vital funds for the Children in Gaza that need life-saving support.
Sam Baker, Colm Quinn, Ryan Adams and James O’Hare will cover 18 miles climbing all seven peaks in the Mourne Mountains within around 13 hours on Saturday July 20.
Mr Baker told The Irish News after watching the horrific scenes unfold in Palestine over the last few months he wanted to find a way to help.
“It was almost like a guilty feeling that I was free to live my life going to work, hiking, being out with the dog and all the time knowing of the events unfolding in Palestine and I was determined that there must be a way to help those people,” he said.
“Millions of displaced people there are walking for days on end fleeing a genocide that is beyond comprehension. They do not have enough access to water, food, fuel and medicine. Their homes have been destroyed; their families torn apart.
“This Mournes seven sevens is going to be a challenge, but its not going to be life or death and the funds raised will go to people in real need.
“Rafah is now a city of children, who have nowhere safe to go in Gaza.
“Even wars have rules. No child should be cut off from essential services, nor fall from the reach of humanitarian hands. No child should be held hostage or used by any means in armed conflict.”
The Seven Sevens consist of a challenging 29km hike, over varied terrain and 2440m of elevation
The group are aiming to raise £1000 that will be donated via UNICEF.
You can donate by clicking here
