Campaigners for peace in Gaza have ridden from Dorchester to Weymouth in support of a group which provides support to communities in the war torn region.

The Dorset Palestine Solidarity Campaign (DPSC) held a 'Ride for Gaza' on Sunday, September 29, where they flew Palestinian flags between the two Dorset towns

The cycle ride was in solidarity for the Gaza Sunbirds para-cyclist team which distributes vital aid to Gaza's communities.

It comes just days after the group held protests in Dorchester and Bridport calling for a ban on weapon sales to Israel from the UK government and an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon where fighting continues. 

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Protesters at Lodmoor Park at a rally held in support of Gaza Sunbirds Protesters at Lodmoor Park at a rally held in support of Gaza Sunbirds (Image: Dorset PSC) Setting off from Dorchester the team of cyclists rode all the way to Lodmoor Park in Weymouth where a rally was held to advocate for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict in the  Middle East between, Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Ride organiser Siobhan, speaking at the rally at the end of the ride said: "Why do we continue to take to the streets as Dorset Palestine Solidarity?

Ride organiser Siobhan speaking at the rally at Lodmoor Park in Weymouth Ride organiser Siobhan speaking at the rally at Lodmoor Park in Weymouth (Image: Dorset PSC) "Not only to demand an end to arming Israel; not only to call for Israel to be charged with war crimes but to show the people of Palestine, the people of Lebanon, that they are in our hearts and in our minds, and in the hearts and minds of the world."

The Gaza Sunbirds group was co-founded by Alaa al-Dali.

In early 2018, he qualified to compete at that year's Asian Games, but was denied a permit from the Israeli government to leave the Gaza Strip. 

In March 2018, he attended the Great March of Return in his cycling gear to call for his right of return as an athlete unable to leave Gaza.

While at the protest, he was shot in the leg by an Israeli sniper, shattering his bone. His leg ultimately had to be amputated.

(Image: Dorset PSC) The Gaza Sunbirds para-cycling team has reverted all its resources to providing community-led aid to Gaza.

All the team have lost their homes and struggle to find food and water to sustain their families.

They source food from remaining farms, warehouses, and supermarkets and distribute them in areas where traditional aid organisations are no longer able to reach.

To date, the team's athletes and staff have distributed over £200,00 worth of aid including: 72,000 kg of food parcels; 7,000 hot meals and shelter for more than 225 people.

The Gaza Sunbirds team is supported by the Amos Trust and the World Kitchen.