600km in 6 days – Israel North to South
During the half term break, School Captain Gabriel took on the challenge to cycle from the North to the South of Israel with a group of individuals in support of the charity Norwood. This is his second charitable ride for the charity, the first taking place in Tanzania in 2018. He shares with us his incredible journey; the people he met along the way and the impact that Norwood can have on the lives of those they support.
“This half term I cycled the length of Israel for the charity Norwood, who provide phenomenal care to people with physical and learning difficulties (such as autism) and their families. After being given an inquisitive welcome by Israeli border control I met my group for the week, a 40 strong contingent of ill-fitting lycra wearing North-Londoners; mostly Jewish, mostly middle aged, I fit right in! We set off and over six long days we cycled across craters and along seas, whilst I was able to soak up both the spirit of Israel and the impact that the fundraising we were doing was having. Jake, 26, who is one of Norwood’s full-time residents has autism and is non-verbal. He along with his dad Wayne were embarking on their 3rd international Norwood ride. Jake rides on the back of a tandem with a selection of the strongest riders (not me) taking turns on the front, gifting him this incredible experience. The sheer joy that was visible on Jake’s face and that of his dad’s, while we swept across some of the most incredible scenery I’ve ever seen, was the most rewarding part of the trip for me, and I can say also for all the other challengers on the ride. This for me made the seemingly endless cycling worth it and talking to Wayne and learning of the round the clock work Norwood do for Jake back in London and hundreds of others only made this already incredible trip into a life changing one. I hope to go on many more Norwood rides in the future."
If this sounds like a cause you would like to learn more about or even support, please have a look Gabriel's *donation page
*uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GabrielRahman
Gabriel Year 13
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