A production manager from Pembrokeshire will be undertaking a long distance cycle challenge this April, from Brighton to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, covering approximately 4,500 km across multiple countries, to support three charities providing essential support to people within Gaza.

Thirty-two-year-old Molly Furnival-Doran from Pembroke, once represented Wales at both cricket and football, winning 23 caps, as a teenager, and will be pedalling to Palestine for her ‘The Cycle has to Change’ fundraising quest, which will be a self supported one.

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.

Now Molly is set to embark on a very differet journey, venturing on a solo, cycling backpack mission from the UK to Gaza to raise money for three charities that operate there.

“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.

“My trip will be totally self funded - cause lets be real, its going to be bloody fantastic - so all proceeds will go directly to the charities.”

She has set a target of £20,000 to raise for the three charities, when she takes on her solo cycling mission, and has hit ober £8,000 already.

The story of Molly’s fundraising quest really began five years ago, when a young Palestinian refugee was sent to Penally camp as an asylum seeker during the Covid lockdown.

She explained:“Within all of the horror, heartbreak, and tragedy that we have witnessed over many years for Palestinians and the people of Gaza, my connection to Gaza began, incredibly, from a place of love and family.

“A beginning that feels so right, in being one that represents the warmth, kindest and humanity of the Palestinian people.

“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.

“Mo’s journey is, of course, his story to tell. But in choosing to take on this cycle, it felt important to me to follow a similar route back to Gaza that Mo took to the UK 7 years ago. A route that will take me through Europe, via Greece and right down to the south of Turkey. I will then be taking a crossing over Egypt where I will make my way to the Gaza/Rafah border.

“I will go as far as I can towards the border, as far as feels appropriate and as far as feels safe.

“As someone who works in the events industry, I have the privilege of doing a job that exists for the very purpose of bringing joy into people’s lives,” she continued.

“Being able to make a living from that is something I try to not take for granted and I will hopefully forever appreciate.

“Because of this, it felt right that this campaign focuses on supporting organisations that are working to bring joy back into people’s lives through culture, through art, through music, through circus, through movement, and through human connection.

“It is deeply inspiring to witness people still managing to create such beauty and community in the most unimaginable circumstances. It speaks volumes about humanity, resilience, and essentially, the importance of joy, even in the darkest of times.

“I am undertaking this journey as someone who is legally allowed to cross borders, a privilege I must acknowledge. My ability to move freely also allows me to move safely, something so many displaced people and refugees are denied.

“So I am cycling in solidarity with all displaced people. I am cycling in solidarity with Mo, and with his family who are still in Gaza and are unable to leave. I am cycling in solidarity with Palestinians.

“And so finally, to my brother Mo, thank you for finding us. Thank you for letting us be your UK family. And thank you for inspiring us all in showing us your strength.

“I truly hope that one day we will get to meet your family, and be able to share the love we have for you. We will always support you. No matter what.

“Mo’s family are still in Gaza and Mo has been their main supporter over the last 2 years. For anyone who would like to directly donate money to help support Mo’s family - Please put ‘MO’ in the reference option,” she added.

The three charities Molly is raising fun for, are as follows:

• Gaza Sunbirds are building and developing professional para-cycling team in Gaza, creating a pathway for amputees and disabled athletes to rise through determination and excellence in sport.

While their long-term vision is to see Palestinian athletes competing on the world stage, the ongoing crisis has seen them shift focus to delivering vital community aid to protect civilians.

At the heart of everything they do is hope, resilience, and the belief that sport can carry people beyond even the hardest circumstances. See more at: https://gazasunbirds.org/

• The Free Gaza Circus Company is led by artists, teachers, and creators who are driven by a deep love for their community and a powerful commitment to transforming children’s lives. Through creativity, movement, and play, they create moments of joy, hope, and possibility for children in Gaza — continuing their vital work even in the face of immense challenges. Head to: https://www.freegazacircus.org/about-us

• The Delia Arts Foundation brings music and art to communities in Gaza facing extreme challenges. Before its destruction in 2023, the Delia Center Gaza was a hub for local artists, offering music lessons, rehearsal spaces, and creative programs.

Today, the foundation focuses on supporting displaced artists and children through projects like the Artists’ Shelter in Rafah and the Harmony Day Center, providing safe spaces for creativity and healing.

One of its current initiatives, ‘Harmony Builders’ - led by Ahmed Abu Amsha, gives music lessons to displaced children in Gaza, helping them cope with the trauma of war through learning instruments.

Despite ongoing challenges, with the continued support of our community, the foundation remains committed to developing and sustaining projects that nurture creativity, resilience, and hope.

Plenty of well-wishers have given Molly messages of support, ahead of her challenge, with one sharing:“What an amazing mission Molly! You'll smash it although with some sore muscles along the way. Well done and we'll be with you in spirit.”

Welsh actor Ifan Huw Dafydd who’s appeared in Pobl Y Cwm, and the award-winning Mr Bates vs The Post Office, shared: “A good and very brave friend of mine - Molly Doran - is going to pedal her bicycle all the way from Pembrokeshire to Gaza hoping to raise £20,000 in aid for the beleagured war torn Palestinians.”

You can find out more about Molly’s challenge at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mollz-uk-to-gaza-cycle