viva palestina

A van, one of 110 vehicles driven by brave, self-financed members of the British public now on their way overland from London to Gaza through North Africa - some 5,000 miles - as part of the Viva Palestina aid convoy organised by George Galloway MP. The volunteers driving this van told me that they had painted it only last night - as they said to me, 'Banksy, eat your heart out!'

Watch my video of the departure here.

Each vehicle is packed with practical aid and will be left in Gaza at the end of the journey, with the volunteers flying back to the UK. So far almost £1 million has been raised in only 4 weeks by this remarkable initiative, organised in immediate response to the BBC's refusal to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal for Gaza.

The convoy includes a fire engine, 12 ambulances, a boat and trucks filled with medicines, cash, tools, clothes, blankets and shoe-boxes filled with gifts for children.

George Galloway said, "Millions of people in this country care deeply, and we are going to show that.”

The effort is being co-ordinated by the campaign group Viva Palestina and is supported by the Stop the War Coalition, the Anglo-Arab Organisation, several British trade unions and a large number of Muslim organisations.

Please help by making a financial contributionIn their darkest hour the people of Gaza must not be forgotten... Viva Palestina!Canon IXUS 850 IS© mark kerrison