Fife-based Iraqi woman to walk for war orphans

SSP Glenrothes solidarity web coverage 02 October 2003
Fife businesswoman Susan Karim has taken on the challenge of raising £100,000 to help the orphans of Iraq. Susan will complete a sponsored walk from Dundee to Edinburgh this month, addressing the communities of each of the towns she will pass through.

Susan, originally from Iraq but now living in Kirkcaldy, is a stroke victim and an asthmatic. She hopes that by completing this challenge she can be a beacon of inspiration to people of all ages throughout the world.

"My father died recently. The last time I saw him was on the 29 July 1980 when I fled the country in search of a safer place and a better future, which I have found in the UK. Although I am 51, losing my father has left me with a feeling of great loss. There is a big empty hole in my heart and a severe pain in my thoughts that any quantity of tears is unable to wash away. Since my father’s death I have never felt so helpless and so lonely." Susan told us.

"But I have a roof over my head and plenty to eat, can any of us imagine how the children of Iraq feel, especially those who have no families? Their country was carpet-bombed in 1991; they suffered inhumane sanctions and continued bombing for 12 years. Most recently a merciless and illegal war was waged against them. To add to this, more than three decades of a brutal regime, supported for much of that time by the West, took its toll on every Iraqi citizen."

Susan is raising money to support the work of the charity Muslim Hands. In recent months the charity has delivered much needed aid to thousands of Iraqi families.

Susan is looking for support from organisations and individuals – both financial and people to accompany her on her walk. The official ‘send off’ will take place in Dundee at 12 noon on Saturday18 October and will conclude at the Scottish Parliament buildings on the afternoon of Wednesday 29 October.

Anyone wishing to support Susan in any way should contact her on 07944 652815 or email her at susan@sce.eu.com.

Muslim Hands Mission Statement
To be at the forefront in delivering relief from poverty, sickness and the provision of education world-wide. To provide an ethical service for the collection and distribution of funds in an effective, efficient, transparent and wholly accountable manner.

Further details about Muslim Hands can be found at www.muslimhands.org

ROUTE FOR WALK
Saturday 18 October Dundee to Tayport
Sunday 19 October Tayport to St Andrews
Monday 20 October St Andrews to Cupar
Tuesday 21 October Cupar to Leven
Wednesday 22 October Leven to Kirkcaldy
Thursday 23 October Kirkcaldy to Glenrothes
Friday 24 October Glenrothes to Lochgelly
Saturday 25 October Lochgelly to Dunfermline
Sunday 26 October Dunfermline to North Queensferry (Sponsored Bridge Walk)
Monday 27 October North Queensferry to South Queensferry
Tuesday 28 October South Queensferry to Edinburgh (outskirts tba)
Wednesday 29 October Edinburgh to Scottish Parliament Building

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