Husband and wife duo raise £2,160 in charity marathon

Mohammed Bangee and wife Safiya said they have always enjoyed long walks, hikes and striking up conversations with strangers.

Mohammed said: “We thought why not take on a challenge and support a meaningful cause? With that in mind, we signed up for the Virtual Palestine Marathon.

“The Palestine Marathon takes place in Bethlehem, where thousands of Palestinians and international supporters run through the city in a powerful act of resilience and solidarity.”

This year, from 17–19 April, they joined participants around the world in that same spirit to ‘stand in solidarity and call for justice and humanitarian support’.

On Saturday, they walked the full 26.2 miles around the Preston Guild Wheel under race conditions, using the Racemate app alongside the official organisers.

Mohammed  said: “We completed the marathon in just over seven hours and raised £2,160 for the IF Charity. No one should have to face hunger alone.

“Right now, many in Palestine are living through unimaginable hardship, with limited access to food, clean water, and basic necessities.

“If charity works to provide regular, nutritious meals to those most in need—children, families, and displaced communities.

“Every step we took was to support that mission. This experience reminded us that you never truly understand someone’s struggle until you walk in their shoes—and even after 26.2 miles, we are nowhere near that reality.

"We had the freedom to move, to rest, to eat, and to return home.

“Many do not. It was a privilege to do this in solidarity with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. They deserve dignity, compassion, and access to basic human needs, just like everyone else.”

In December the couple climbed Mount Snowdon in the freezing cold with Muslim Hikers and Charity Right for their Annual Gaza fundraiser.

Mohammed said the couple are hoping to take part in a charity bike ride for Friends of Al Aqsa in June.