UK Team Comments

“As you must know by now, I took part in a 19k walk for Iraq yesterday with 30 other people. This started at 10 am in Hastings and finished at 6.30 pm in Rye.Thinking this would be a nice leisurely walk on a sunny day and moreover for a great cause, I bought my skinny latte and put on my shades. I very soon discovered, I was woefully unprepared for the rigorous hike it turned out to be.

Though the scenery was quite extraordinary, I can assure you there was nothing languid about the hike. We were galvanized into action by our tour guide Eric and set an extraordinary pace, by Omar, Reem and Haider.

We soon discovered the art of climbing over country fencing, tripping, running away from sheep, tripping some more, sinking into wet marshland and climbing cliffs as high as Everest, I kid you not! Suffice it to say, that by the time we arrived in Rye we were physically and psychologically ravaged by the forces of nature.

Even though the day was not quite what I had hoped it would be, it turned out to be easily one of the most memorable days I have ever experienced.

But more importantly this hike has raised a minimum of £19,000 in sponsorship, exceeding its £7000 target. This is without doubt due to Nadia’s tireless work for this cause and her unshakable fierce tenacity in urging everyone she knows to give.

Unfortunately, I have personally not been very successful in raising money, but my optimism in my friends is unshakable. I urge you all to give as little or as much as you like to www.justgiving.com/walkforiraq”
Duha Al-Saraf

“Thank you especially to Nadia for your organisation and Eric for your sense of direction. Who would have thought a little colony of ants in comfortable shoes and backpacks on one side of the globe walking through mud and sheep poo from point A to point B could have such an impact on the other side of the globe, but we have. See you all again soon,”
Camilla Bustani

“Thank you for a wonderful day and a great effort, the weather was good, the company was great and the money we made was significant. I met a lot of lovely people and it was one of the most memorable days of my life.”
Lamees Ibrahim

“Thank you Nadia for organising this event and to all who took part and who donated money. If the money we raised saves just one life, it will still be worth it!”
Zaid Al-Hindawi

“It was such a pleasure to walk with so many lovely people, some of different ethnic backgrounds and political affiliations, all walking towards one goal.I am so impressed and over whelmed by the interest and support shown for this event.”
“Personally I feel like I would like to keep walking for Iraq as a way of reaching out a helping hand and also as a way of demonstrating that Arabs can do good things together - for each other.

Nadia habibti You have been brilliant at initiating, organising and bringing people together to make this happen…. keep going girl.”
Faten Barakat

“Nadia, thanks a great walk, great weather, great cause and great bunch of people to spend the day with. Thanks to all.”
Sara Al-Saraf

“Great meeting you all and thank you all for the great effort, especially Nadia for making this happen and making it SUCCESSFUL. Special thanks also to Eric, who lead us back to civilisation and Ezzidin who documented everything. He must have lost half his bodyweight carrying his “twin”. It was tremendous fun and I really enjoyed the day and meeting all of you.”
Yamam Nabeel

“We had such a brilliant day and refreshing experience that won’t be forgotten for a long time…. and all for a good cause so thanks again Nadia for organising all of this.”
Hala Hindawi

“Great meeting you all and hope we can all continue doing some constructive, fun and useful projects…”
Arij Soltan

“Thanks, Nadia, for putting all our efforts together for a great cause.”
Nadia Gattan

“Well done everyone for raising over double the target, that’s great job. Hopefully the money is going to bring the smile to some people in Iraq. I would like to thank Nadia for her great work and effort to make everything well organized.
Thanks to Eric for the guide, without him we might be still in Hasting station. Thanks to Ezzidin for documenting all the moments.
Finally, It was lovely day, great weather and friendly group so thanks to everyone.
keep it going,”
Sama Aleshaiker

“I have never felt pain like this in my entire life but in the end it was REALLY worth it.. Mainly of course due to the success that you have all managed to muster. WELL DONE!! We must all be very proud of this amazing achievement.
Also, meeting all of you has been a true pleasure indeed. A highly charged group, working as a unite. We have certainly proved to the disputing Arab nations how truly united the entire Arab world is, and with the rest of the world too.
Nadia, Eric, ALL, I have had the pleasure of accomplishing this walk along your side, and I will most definitely be looking forward to the next challenge(s) to come.”
Ezzidin Alwan

I couldn’t believe I was up and out of the house this early on a Saturday morning, I actually thought about driving to Hastings, but then after walking all the way to Rye, how would I have gotten back to my car? so I decided I’ll join the masses and go on the trains.
After initial introductions and buying our tickets, we courageously (or foolishly) left for Hastings station. Those who had breakfast ate it, and those who were still tired (like me after a sleepless night with the kids) went to sleep.
We arrived, took photos, and more photos and more photos and thought: ok pictures taken let’s go back home! But no, Eric had other intentions…. we HAD to walk the 19km!
It was absolutely beautiful… the scenery was, in some cases, breath-taking. But why oh why did we have to go up those 5 hills, no mountains! But when we did managed to catch our breath at the top of each mountain it was worth it. And all along, we kept on thinking: this is for IRAQ. (And it didn’t do us much harm in trying to do our weekly exercise!) “Keep those buttocks clenched girls!!”
After lunch, we had it easy: walking through the wheat fields, with the sheep and cows (but had to be extra careful, if you know what I mean?) It was amazing.
This would not have been made possible without Nadia’s enthusiasm and encouragement (and lying about the level of the walk); and Eric, our guide, without whom we’d still be lost between Hastings and Rye. And of course to Ezzidin who took all those great pictures. (I don’t look too bad in them!!!)
It was a pleasure to meet all the people who took part. I had a wonderful day. I was lucky enough to have come out with only 2 blisters!!!
Keep up the good work. Keep up the donations. Iraq (I’m sorry to say) needs it!
Reem Auchi