Interviews / Documented by : Catherine Monk
On September 20th, Manchester’s branch of Dykes Who Hike embarked on a marathon 26-mile trek – the length of the Gaza Strip – in solidarity with Palestine. The UK-wide initiative, coordinated by Dykes Against Airstrikes, aimed to raise funds and awareness for Gaza Sunbirds, a grassroots organisation delivering vital aid to those affected by ongoing violence. We asked one of their organisers, Catherine Monk to take us behind the scenes, speaking to various participants and organisers.
“It’s easy to feel helpless when you see the atrocities happening in Gaza,” said Ciara Lynch, 27, a teacher and hike leader. “But lacing up our boots and walking is what we love to do. This felt like a way we could actually contribute.”
The Manchester hike was just one of several across the UK, and donations quickly outpaced expectations. Originally aiming for £3,000, the initiative surpassed £20,000 by the end of September.
The choice of 26 miles wasn’t arbitrary. It mirrors the length of the Gaza Strip, a narrow landmass where conflict and destruction are concentrated.
“We wanted people to feel how small Gaza is,” Ciara explained. “It’s literally the size of the Isle of Wight, maybe half the size of London. To walk that in a day and think about the violence occurring there…it makes it hit home in a way numbers can’t.”
For many, this was their first hike with Dykes Who Hike. Robin Templemen, 22, and Lily Hougan, 24, both admitted to nervousness before setting off.
Robin: “I’ve never done anything this long. But the group is so positive. Everyone was cheering each other on, it makes all the difference.”
Lily: “I felt like I wasn’t doing enough for Palestine before. This walk made it real. Every step felt like doing something, actually contributing.”
By the day’s end, hikers were physically exhausted but emotionally uplifted, united in a shared purpose and sense of community.
“Walking the Gaza Strip in our shoes isn’t the same as the suffering there,” Dee said. “But it’s a way to stand with them. To feel, to act, to raise awareness. And doing it with amazing people made it all the more powerful.”
From Manchester’s streets to its green spaces, the 26-mile hike symbolised resilience, solidarity, and queer activism. For Dykes Who Hike, this is more than a trek - it’s a statement.
“We can’t all be on the ground in Gaza delivering aid,” Robin reflected. “But we can walk. We can fundraise. We can show the world that queer solidarity with Palestine is alive and committed.”
Dykes Who Hike is a volunteer-led network connecting queer women, trans and non-binary hikers across the UK. Manchester’s group, active for just over a year, has grown to over 400 members on WhatsApp and thousands of followers online.
“We’re creating community outdoors,” said Ciara. “So many queer spaces are closing down, and we want to keep that alive - on the trails, in the hills, wherever we can.”
For some participants, the hike was deeply personal. Dee, a prosthetic makeup artist, described the experience as emotionally transformative:
“I’m a proud queer Muslim woman, Yemeni, so Palestine is like family. Walking those 26 miles, pushing through exhaustion, made me feel, in a small way, what they go through every day. It was heartbreaking, but so meaningful. To be part of something like this is just… amazing.”
Not everyone walked the full distance. Helpers like Lauren Temple, 25, and Frankie, 32, played crucial roles, carrying water, snacks, and offering moral support.
“I knew my fitness wouldn’t hold for the whole walk,” Lauren said. “But someone has to help. Everyone plays a part. Without the people supporting from behind the scenes, this couldn’t happen.”
Frankie echoed the sentiment: “My job was to check in with everyone, hand out snacks, offer a chat. Even though I wasn’t walking all 26 miles, I still felt like I was contributing to something important.”
