British activist walks from UK to Istanbul to raise funds for Palestinians

A 52-year-old British activist, Ruth Herbert, is nearing the end of a 4,000-mile walk from the United Kingdom to Türkiye, a journey she began six and a half months ago to raise funds for Palestinians living under occupation and in refugee communities. She is expected to reach Istanbul on Saturday.

Herbert, a businesswoman from Arnside, set out from her home on May 2 with an initial goal of collecting £25,000 ($32,820) for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). Her fundraising has since surpassed £44,000 (about $58,000), and she hopes to reach £50,000 as she completes the final stretch of what she calls the “Big Trek 4 Palestine.”

In an interview to Anadolu Agency, she said that images emerging from Gaza pushed her to take action and that she felt compelled to support MAP during what she described as a time of intense hardship for Palestinians. She said the idea for the walk grew from a strong feeling that she needed to contribute more than by attending demonstrations.

British activist Ruth Herbert walks from the UK to Istanbul to raise donations for Medical Aid for Palestinians

◾️ Left Arnside on May 2, crossed 12 countries, finishing her 6.5-month journey on Nov. 15

◾️ ‘What inspired me to do this was just seeing the suffering of the… pic.twitter.com/10sht0YQBq

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) November 14, 2025

Herbert travelled on foot across 12 countries. She began by walking the length of England, then crossed through France before climbing over the Alps into Switzerland. From there, she followed the historic Via Francigena route into Italy and continued onward to Slovenia.

Her journey then took her through the Balkans, including tough sections in Bosnia along remote paths known for wildlife and minefield risks. In Montenegro, the Palestinian ambassador received her and offered hospitality during part of her stay.

She later passed through Albania, North Macedonia and Greece before entering Türkiye. Herbert is now making her way to Istanbul along parts of the Sultans Trail, a former Byzantine route into the city.

She said that being outdoors for months helped her manage the emotional weight of the situation in Gaza, and that turning her concern into action gave her a sense of purpose. She added that individual efforts may seem small, but taking meaningful steps still matters.