Aid Convoy from UK En Route to Gaza Makes Its Way to Ferry to Morocco

The Dewsbury Reporter (UK), February 19, 2009 - ....The journey of nearly 5,000 miles is expected to take around 17 days, by ferry and over land, through Europe and Northern Africa.

Imran Bin Abu, of Dewsbury, is driving one of the trucks and leading the Dewsbury and Batley part of the convoy. He said: "The response and the generosity of people has been fantastic. We're ready and raring to go.

"We're looking forward to the hands-on experience and we want to be there to see what the people are going through."

Among the items are shoeboxes containing children's toys.

Imran added: "When a bomb is coming the children over there can tell whether it's from a tank, plane or boat – they've forgotten how to play.
"We hope these new toys will help them learn to play again."

Speaking by phone from Spain on Tuesday evening, he said: "We're about to board the ferry to Morocco and we've been told there are hundreds of vehicles in Libya waiting to join us.

"We've had a couple of breakdowns but people have been helping us. It's cold at night but we knew what we were up against. We're not here for a holiday."

The convoy is the result of efforts by volunteers across Dewsbury and Batley.

Members of the Jame Mosque at Henry Street, Batley, went door to door collecting goods to be taken to Gaza in the convoy.

Mayor of Kirklees Coun Karam Hussain welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone who has supported the convoy.

He said: "Our communities have made a tremendous effort to raise money and provide basic essentials for the people of Gaza."