WHEN Lothians couple Khalil Al Niss and Linda Willis started talking about where to go on holiday they probably never thought they would end up embarking on an aid mission to deliver vital medical supplies.
But the couple, from Balerno, are going
to do just that and are heading for the volatile Gaza strip with an estimated 1.5 tons of medical supplies donated by groups across Scotland.
The idea for the trip originally came about when the couple were discussing their holiday plans, after Mr Al Niss, 49, had recently purchased a van to help with his work. A delivery driver by trade, he normally only deals with business deliveries around the UK but is now set to tackle what will be a far tougher challenge.
The couple's van has been packed with medical supplies donated by charitable organisations across Scotland, and includes much-needed medication for heart conditions and diabetes, as well as syringes, bandages, swabs, antibiotics, blood bottles for taking samples, and more advanced equipment such as endotracheal tubes for use in surgery.
The five-day journey will see them travel through mainland Europe and Egypt before arriving at the Rafa Crossing, on the border of Egypt and Gaza next Tuesday.
The couple have been helped in their campaign by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and have also been backed by MSP Margo MacDonald.
Ms Willis, 51, who works as a practice nurse at Heriot-Watt University, said: "We were originally talking about a driving holiday, and since Khalil had the van we thought it might be an idea to take something over to Gaza to help people there.
"I have never been there before, but he has driven across to the Middle East and said it would be a great experience for us.
"He came up with the idea of delivering medicine, and I know it is something that is badly needed out there.
"I imagine it will be a very humbling experience to see what conditions are like out there, and while I am a little afraid I am also excited about the experience."
Mr Al Niss, who was born in Jerusalem, admitted he had been overwhelmed by the generosity of people to their appeal.
He said: "We have been amazed at the response from everyone here, and we have received so many supplies that we literally cannot fit them all in the van, so the rest will be taken out by another group.
"Medical supplies are very difficult to get in Gaza, and so I felt it would be the most helpful thing we could do."
The volatile region has been thrown into turmoil by an effective siege, which has seen many supply routes into Gaza closed off by Israel for months.
Yesterday, despite more exchanges of mortar fire, Israel finally allowed medical teams into the region, and has pledged to keep supply routes open, after pressure from Egyptian officials. Ms MacDonald admitted the situation was concerning for the couple, and said she was hoping the trip was a success.
"Anyone who knows anything at all about what is happening in Gaza can only be full of admiration for what these people are doing," she said.
"They are two ordinary people who are doing what they can to being medical supplies to people who need them, and so I did my best to help tell people about their trip and help to get the supplies. We are all just hoping the area will be quiet when they get there."
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www.gaza.tkThe full article contains 608 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
