RECENTLY returned from cycling 120 miles from Coventry to London for ‘The Big Ride for Palestine’ are Launceston couple Roger and Jane Creagh-Osborne.

Jane said: “The ride was an amazing experience. There were over 190 cyclists from all over the UK and the world including an extended family of 12 Palestinians from three generations exiled in different countries.”

Roger and Jane were joined by Euan McPhee from Falmouth to make a Cornish contingent of three.

The ride left Coventry on Friday, August 3, and was welcomed with a party in Northampton that evening. On the Saturday they continued to Luton for another civic reception from the mayor and then on in to London and Westminster on the Sunday.

Roger said: “The expressions of support on the streets — people applauding and cheering as we passed, car horns blaring — was extraordinary and heart-warming. Clearly there is very widespread support for the Palestinian cause across all sections of our society.

“People here are generally appalled by the treatment of the people in occupied Palestine. As in previous instances both the UN and popular opinion are ahead of our government. Pressure must be applied to Israel to behave in a civilised way towards all people regardless of ethnic or religious background.”

The Big Ride was created specifically to raise awareness about the situation in Gaza, and this year has also been raising money for sports equipment for girls in Gaza. Roger and Jane would like to thank all those who have generously contributed already. There is still time to donate at www.globalgiving.org/projects/sports-for-girls-in-gaza

Jane added: “The support for the ride shows that the movement to oppose the apartheid-like oppression of the Palestinian people by the Israeli state is growing. Our politicians should take heed.”

On Saturday, September 15, the Launceston Amnesty International Group are hosting an event at Central Methodist Church on ways the Arts can help transform lives in Palestine, featuring a conversation between David Oddie of the Indra Congress (based in Tavistock) and Marina Barham a cultural activist from Palestine.