Arab News - Between Dec. 27, 2008 and Jan. 17, 2009, the population of Gaza suffered 22 days of relentless aerial and ground bombardments. During the offensive, over 1,400 Palestinians were killed, 400 of whom were children and over 5,550 were injured. In addition, over 21,000 homes were destroyed, and 90,000 people were left homeless.

These events prompted a group of Saudis to join others from all over the world to do something in solidarity with the Palestinian people. These Saudis participated in a physical challenge, to cycle from London to Paris, while fundraising for medical aid for Palestinians.

The idea began when a young Saudi couple wanted to do something to assist in the recovery effort of this humanitarian tragedy. Seif Sammakieh, a recent graduate with a Masters degree from the University of Surrey and his wife Lulu Sakka, a graduate of Webster University in Switzerland, decided to act immediately. Along with a friend, Tamara Ben-Halim, they contacted the British-based NGO, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), which operates in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Lebanon delivering health and medical care to vulnerable Palestinians and discussed ways of how they could assist those affected by the disaster.

The money raised will be used to help in the establishment of permanent medical infrastructure in Palestinian communities by training health care practitioners, teaching medical vocational skills to particularly vulnerable groups which lack direct care and caring for people with disabilities.

Seif, who climbed Kilimanjaro last year for a Lebanese NGO, was inspired to use that event as a model for a similar initiative. He said, "The sense of energy one gets from doing something bigger, pushes you to overcome the tough physical challenge." Lulu wanted to do something on a personal level in solidarity with the Palestinian people. "It was a deep emotional bond seeing people coming together for this cause," she said.

Together they designed a challenge to involve enthusiastic cyclists to cycle from London to Paris with the aim of raising awareness for the cause and collecting donations. The group of 27 cyclists from all over the world included, 6 Saudis. Thamer Kutbi and Salem Kaaki who live and work in Jeddah also took part in the challenge. Both have been active with helping the needy in Africa as well as raising awareness for preserving the environment in Saudi Arabia. By taking part in Cycling for Gaza, Thamir & Salem say: "We hope to deliver a message of peace and to show that the people of the world will not sit by and do nothing to help innocent people in dire need."

Fuad Al-Zayer, a Saudi working and living in Vienna, who took part in the challenge said reflecting on the trip, "The challenge had different meanings for different people in the group, but everyone wanted to do something -anything for a good cause. I was impressed by having many nationalities among us, including someone from Israel. I was impressed by the commitments of young Arabs among us who were educated, physically fit, and had a desire to do something good for others. It was an impressive bonding of the human race in a challenging environment."

The trip kicked-off on July 2nd from London, with the group cycling 95 km through the countryside towards the south coast, heading towards the port of Newhaven where they boarded the ferry to Dieppe on the French side of the English Channel. The following day they cycled about 80 km from Dieppe through Normandy to Gournay en Bray.

During the trip they encountered difficult terrain. Later on - and 115 km further on, they approached Paris on day three. They reached the center of Paris via its most famous park, the Bois de Boulogne. Their physically agonizing trip ended at the city's most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower.

This new approach to fundraising allowed various individuals to challenge themselves and unite for the help of others whilst. Their trip raised over 80,000 GBP in donations and sponsorships.

Participating in the group of cyclists were people from all over the world and different walks of life. Seif added, "The idea of doing something on an individual level through a cycling trip like this allows us to give our share towards the Palestinian cause".

Young people can do a great deal to help others and are able to overcome physical and mental challenges for a larger humanitarian goal. Our salute to such individuals among us.