Doing Hope...
One Step At A Time

While Gaza is being deliberately starved and the dispossession of Palestinian land in the West Bank accelerates, there have been moments in recent months when it’s been hard to hope. And yet, again and again, hope has come through action.

At Amos, we talk about doing hope. And over the past few months, that’s exactly what so many of our supporters have done — lacing up their shoes, showing up and putting one foot in front of the other for Palestine.

Here are just some of their stories.

30 Marathons in 30 Days
Laurie Argent

Pure determination: Marathon runner Laurie Argent ran 30 marathons in 30 days for Amos Trust. Photo courtesy of Gemma Bell.
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Let’s start with 21-year-old Laurie Argent — a runner, triathlete, teaching assistant and, as of April 2024, the kind of person who runs 30 marathons in 30 days.

Yes, you read that right. A full marathon. Every day. For a month.

Self-supported, no water stations, no cheering crowds — just determination, tired legs, and a deep sense of purpose. Laurie took on this extraordinary challenge after work each day, raising over £3,500 for our Gaza appeal.

Why?
“Running gives me time to be free in my head, with no worries or pressures,” he told us. “It’s been shocking to see the horror and destruction the Palestinian people have been going through and I thought I could help in some small way.”

As a runner, I get it — the rhythm, the solitude, the freedom. But when I run, I go wherever my legs will take me. In Palestine, that freedom doesn’t exist. In Gaza right now, even survival is uncertain. And in the West Bank, movement is constantly monitored, restricted and delayed by checkpoints and barriers.

When I ran the Bethlehem half marathon in 2023, the Separation Wall loomed beside us. Full marathon runners had to do two laps of the city because it’s simply not possible to run 26.2 miles in Bethlehem without hitting a checkpoint. The route itself is a powerful act of protest.

Running The Wall, Running The World

From Exeter to Egypt: Run The Wall has become a global act of solidarity. Photo courtesy of Tareq Huleisy.
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Last month, supporters from across the globe joined our annual Run The Wall weekend — walking, running, swimming and cycling in solidarity with Palestinians, echoing the weekend the Palestine Marathon was due to take place.

Since 2020, when the pandemic stopped us from travelling to Bethlehem, Run The Wall has become an annual tradition — a global act of solidarity. This year, with the mararthon being cancelled again due to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, it felt more vital than ever.

The weekend began with a powerful moment from Bethlehem, as our partners — Holy Land Trust, Arowwad, Wi’am and Right To Movement — led a community run in the shadow of the Separation Wall. Photos flooded the Run The Wall WhatsApp group, inspiring participants across the world.

As Said Zarzar from our partner Holy Land Trust put it, “We appreciate all these beautiful, creative ways of showing us your support — it does give us hope.”

From Exeter to Egypt, thank you to everyone who took part. Over 25 countries. Over £20,000 raised for our Gaza partners. Every step a statement of solidarity. Every mile a message: you are not alone.

Marathons for Palestine

Running in solidarity: London, Manchester and Brighton amongst others.
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This spring, supporters didn’t just Run The Wall — they ran official races, too. The London, Manchester and Brighton Marathons all became platforms for Palestinian solidarity.

A huge shout-out to Tara Wigley, Lucy Williams, and Annie Hirsch for taking on London and Manchester. To Joe Williams for running Brighton. And to El and Nathan Butcher, Jack Rose, Ariena, Aalia Jawad, Lena Abu-elfailat and Nicholas Cunliffe for their half marathons — and to Nadia Miller for completing the Three Peaks Challenge.

They all wore their Amos “I’m Running for Palestine” tops — and they all reported something remarkable:

“There were Palestinian flags everywhere at the London Marathon.”
Lucy Williams

Just a few years ago, that wouldn’t have been the case. These moments matter. Visibility matters. It’s one more reason to keep going.

Marching, Demonstrating & Refusing to be Silent

Standing up. Showing up: A huge crowd demonstrating in London against the war in Gaza. Photo courtesy of Bob Uden.
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Of course, it’s not always about running — or even walking. Sometimes it’s about marching. Standing up. Showing up.

Last weekend, many of you joined local demonstrations to mark 77 years since the Nakba — and to demand an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza. In London, half a million people marched for Palestine.

I was in Truro — a much smaller gathering, but the biggest I’ve ever seen there. And in its own way, it too was a sign of hope.

Thank you to everyone who took part. For fundraising. For moving your feet. For moving others to care. For doing hope — one step at a time.

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Want to get involved?
If you’d like to take on a challenge for Palestine, we have places available in upcoming UK races — including the iconic Great North Run and the Big Half in London.

Visit our challenges page or email [email protected] to find out more. And if running isn’t your thing, you can still support Palestine by hosting a Summer Supper Club — a creative and delicious way to raise funds and awareness.

Hope comes in many forms. Let’s keep doing it — together.
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