The Big Ride Summer 2021

July 29 to August 1

Why we rode this year

The Big Ride has a ride event every summer where we focus on building solidarity and raising funds for a project for children in Palestine.

Following the resolution adopted by the TUC in 2020 on Justice for Palestine, as well as reports by Human Rights Watch, the UN and the Israeli human rights organisation B’Tselem which describe the apartheid practices of the Israeli state, The Big Ride will be putting the issue of apartheid at the centre of its campaigning work. We hope that this will unite people in solidarity with the people of Palestine in the same way that we were united in the Anti-Apartheid struggle in South Africa.

 We think that it is important that we take a stand on this question and feel, as so eloquently put by Desmond Tutu, that:

 “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor”

The Big Ride is opposed to all forms of racism including Islamophobia and Antisemitism.  We welcome the 2021 Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism which makes it clear that fighting for the rights of Palestinians, which will often involve criticism of Israel and its policies, is not antisemitic.

Fundraising for Rafah Playground

Last year The Big Ride fundraised successfully for a playground in Khuza'a. This year we will be fundraising for a similar project in Rafah - the creation of a recreational park to be a safe space for children traumatised by bombing and siege to be able to take part in cycling, football, basketball, tennis and walking with an emphasis on activities for women and girls.

The Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA) is planning to construct a network of playgrounds in Gaza that will allow children to visit other playgrounds and make new friends and connections.

We have now up a fundraiser on Just Giving as we did last year within which Big Riders will be able to set up their own pages. Click here to set up a funding page or to donate. (See FAQ's for help)