A Donegal man is set to be part of a team of two that will cycle from Achill Island to Athens, raising money for medics working in Gaza.
Donegal native Cian Flanagan will join his mate Matthew Geever next week to take on the gargantuan challenge for Medecins Sans Frontiers – Doctors Without Borders.
A far cry from Cian’s day job as a videographer, this will be an entirely new experience for the Ramelton native as he and Matthew will embark on their charity “bikepacking” trip next week.
They have already raised over €4,700 of their initial €5,000 goal before cycling a single kilometer.
The two men have been deeply moved by the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the horrifying humanitarian crisis being inflicted upon Palestinian civilians.
“We are undertaking this challenge in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who are enduring an ongoing genocide at the hands of the Israeli state. We believe MSF )Medecins Sans Frontiers) is uniquely placed to deliver direct and immediate medical aid in Gaza, where the situation has become unimaginably dire,” Cian and Matthew posted.
“Since 7 October 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 113,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Every hospital in the Gaza Strip has been bombed or forced out of service, and as of March 2nd, a total aid blockade has left over two million people without access to food, clean water, electricity, or basic medical supplies.”
“The suffering must stop. The temporary ceasefire from January to March showed a glimpse of what relief could look like. A permanent and sustained ceasefire is urgently needed.”
They are also raising money for MSF due to the charity’s vital work in many other war-torn and disadvantaged countries.
“While Gaza is central to our concern, MSF is also doing life-saving work in other crisis zones, including the ongoing civil war in Sudan. The funds raised through this ride will support their operations across all regions where people are living under siege, displacement, and extreme violence.”
“We would be deeply grateful for any donation—big or small. Your support makes a real difference. Please take a moment to visit msf.org to learn more about the crises MSF is responding to.”
You can view their fundraising page at the following link: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/CianFlanaganandMatthewGeever
