Auldearn 21-year-old tackling 200-mile walk from Inverness to Orkney in bid to support humanitarian aid in Palestine

A Nairnshire 21-year-old is on his way to Orkney after embarking on a 200- miles walk to raise funds and awareness for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

Rob Dunkley, from Auldearn, decided to take on the mammoth walk out of need of running away from the current state of the world - however he eventually thought to turn the feat into an opportunity to support people affected by the war on Palestine.

With this sponsored walk, he hopes to raise vital financial aid for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a British-founded organisation working to provide medical and humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people in Gaza, the West Bank, and to Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

This is Rob’s first fundraiser, and one that he had not initially planned.

“I was just feeling very overwhelmed with everything in the world, and I wanted to do something to kind of escape from it, and run away — shut off from the world and go off grid for a bit,” he explained.

“I just wanted to feel less overwhelmed and helpless. With everything that’s going on is easy to forget about the good things in life.

“I wasn't actually planning it as a fundraiser. I was just kind of doing it selfishly.

“Then I realised this was not very helpful in the grand scheme of things, and that this is something that people will pay attention to, something that can be a focal point and make a fundraiser out of it.”

Rob set up a dedicated Go Fund Me page and then an Instagram account @hike.forpalestine to share his journey.

Then, just over a week ago, he reached Inverness bus station and was off on his walk.

“I wanted something that was focused on Palestine obviously,” he said about the choice of the charity.

“In the past year, since the genocide in Gaza started, it's been hard to feel that you can do anything, I felt helpless and useless.

“I know this is a very small, individual action, but I think it's a good way to start getting more involved, get into some action.

“I was looking at smaller charities, but I wanted to find out what was the most effective.

“I know Medical Aid for Palestinians works in Gaza but can also work in the West Bank and in refugee camps in Lebanon.

“Because it's quite hard to know when aid can actually get into Gaza, because the situation there changes so much every day, I knew that no matter the odds, they'll still be able to help Palestinian people outside of it as well.”

At the time of writing Rob, who has reached Kirkwall at the time of writing, has raised more than £750 on his £900 target.

On his way, he also found a lost dog, whom he was able to reunite with the owner just before hopping on the ferry to Orkney.

Walking the whole route and sleeping in a tent, he said he felt lucky with the weather — at least, until the Helmsdale stop, before tackling the northern part of the walk.

He also had a good mood boost just before setting off, he said.

“I also got confirmation that I’ve been accepted to be a textile design student in Edinburgh, so I’ll be moving there over the summer. It’s been a good thing to start the hike with.

“I hope to continue with this kind of activity and I wish to become more involved in action for Palestine, and I hope to join the Greenpeace hub when I am in Edinburgh as well.”

You can support Rob’s fundraiser at Support Medical Relief in Palestine.

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