Pembrokeshire's Molly Furnival-Doran has already raised more than £26,000 for Gaza relief efforts, as she embarks on a solo cycling journey through Europe.

Thirty-two-year-old Molly is now two weeks into her solo, self-supported cycle and has already travelled more than 1,300km across Europe.

She is currently making her way through the Austrian Alps, having cycled through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany and Austria.

Her journey will continue through Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, before she makes her way towards Egypt and as close as safely possible to the Rafah border.

Molly is raising funds for three organisations working on the ground in Gaza:

  • Delia Arts Foundation
  • Free Gaza Circus Company
  • Gaza Sunbirds

Together, these groups focus on creating spaces of joy, creativity and human connection through art, movement and community, even in extremely challenging conditions.

“The three charities I’m supporting are all rooted in restoring joy and connection through movement, creativity, and community. They all have different incredible elements that I feel really inspired by and I hope other people to do,” remarked Molly.

Since setting off, Molly has already raised more than £26,000 and is now pushing towards a £30,000 target, which she hopes to deliver at the end of her journey.

The inspiration behind Molly’s ride remains deeply personal. Several years ago, her family met a young Palestinian man, Mohammed (’Mo’), in Pembrokeshire, who as a refugee was sent to Penally camp near Tenby, during the Covid lockdown.

He has since become part of their family, and Molly is now retracing part of the route he once took to reach safety in the UK.

She explained: “About six years ago, our family dynamic quietly shifted. It shifted in a way that a made an unexpected space for an unexpected person.

“My mum was driving in Pembrokeshire when she offered a lift to a young Palestinian boy walking along a country road near Tenby. That boy, now a man, is Mohammed, or as we all call him, Mo.”

Speaking from the road, Molly said: “The support so far has been incredible. I’m cycling in solidarity with Palestinians, with displaced people everywhere, and with Mo and his family who are still in Gaza.”

Molly, once represented Wales at both cricket and football, winning 23 caps, as a teenager.

As a production manager, she followed in her father’s footsteps into the arts world, as Peter Doran was the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven’s Artistic Director for an incredible 25 years, having been one of the original Torch Theatre Company members back in 1977 when the theatre first opened.

Molly Doran
Molly said: “My mum was driving in Pembrokeshire when she offered a lift to a young Palestinian boy walking along a country road near Tenby. That boy, now a man, is Mohammed, or as we all call him, Mo.” (Peter Doran)

Molly is funding the trip herself, meaning all donations go directly to the charities.

As she continues her journey, she is encouraging people back home in Pembrokeshire and beyond to help her reach her £30,000 target.

Donations can be made via her GoFundMe page, and she is sharing updates as she travels.

Head to the following link for further information and to donate: https://gofund.me/bdfd7d51e