The Walk

On Saturday the 16th of June 2007, 30 of us took part in a 19km walk from Hastings to Rye (by the South Coast of England) to help raise funds for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

With the current crisis in Iraq, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. The ICRC is helping people on a daily basis through emergency relief activities such as food distribution, supplying essential household items and hygiene parcels. They also provide access to clean water as well as sanitation services, two things which have become incredibly precious due to their rare supply. Additionally, they support medical services, hospitals, and health centres giving people access to vital, life saving medical treatments.

We were besieged by both media and peace groups to work together with them in highlighting this cause and not only was the event covered by Asharq Al-Awsat, the leading international Arabic newspaper. It was also recognised by Arabic News Broadcast (ANB) Satellite Channel and Media groups within Iraq. In addition to this, we created 2 groups ‘Walk for Iraq’ and 'Walk for Iraq Toronto' on the on-line networking facility Facebook, which to date, has more then 1000 members.

When 30 of us embarked on the Hastings to Rye walk, we were all fuelled with a desire to change something in Iraq. Facing harsh British weather and surrounded by landscapes as English as fruit cake none of us could have imagined the result of our hike would generate so much interest globally. What started as a small step has now become a collective aspiration of many.

The bewildering interest in Walk for Iraq inspired different groups in Canada and New Zealand to set up their own Walk for Iraq, with many more cities on the way such as California, Dubai, Boston,etc.

Well done to all the participants for their hard work. Many of them worked on this with their hearts and souls and without them this would not have happened. A very big thankyou to our lovely guide Eric Randall, our wonderful photographer Ezzidin Alwan and Yazen El-Safi, our New Zealand lead for his support and inspiration to globalise the event and set up of the website www.walkforiraq.com.

I would like to thank everyone who has given me the support and encouragment to setup and promote this project. (Please see our 'thankyou section’)

Over £20,000 was raised from the UK walk (www.justgiving.com/walkforiraq) Your good wishes helped us to carry on to the end and for every smiling step we took was a step for a better Iraq. Displaced Iraqis around the globe have taken a special interest in our campaign and website and it is to them and to the millions in Iraq and all those who have been affected by the wars that we dedicate our work.

Well done to all for making a difference.

Nadia Al-Shadhir

(Click here to see the Walk for Iraq promotional powerpoint presentation)