A guided walk to explore places of special interest in Oldham is on the cards to raise money for women in Gaza and the West Bank.

Local charity, Saddleworth Palestine Women's Scholarship Fund, has arranged a new fundraiser to take place in Oldham on Saturday, June 8, which visits places of special interest in Oldham town centre and Alexandra Park.

The Saddleworth Palestine Women's Scholarship Fund was formed in 2012 to provide scholarships for seven women in the West Bank and 55 in Gaza to take up university education.

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University education in Gaza costs around £600 per year but, due to the widespread poverty in the region, the sum is beyond the means of many women.

The fund organisers know that some of the students in Gaza have also lost their lives or have been injured in the ongoing conflict.

More than 95 per cent of all the money raised by the registered charity goes directly to the women to pay for their education.

A long-term supporter of the group and experienced history walk leader, Steve Roman, has offered to run the guided walk where people can join in the morning, for the afternoon or the full day.

Committee member Jacqui Greenfield, said: "We are delighted that Steve has offered to run this guided walk as it is a great opportunity to find out more about Oldham and the lovely Alexandra Park while raising money for the  Palestine Women’s Scholarship Fund, particularly at this difficult time."

Dr Mona El Farra, the fund’s founder and Project Director of Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA) has emphasised the importance of working  "towards a time when we can again focus on the education needs of women in Gaza and across Palestine". 

She added: "It is so important that you continue to raise funds so we are ready to help women gain an education, when it becomes possible to do so."

The walk starts at 10.45am at Oldham King Street Metrolink station before moving through the town centre to finish at Gallery Oldham at around 12.30pm.

From there, the walk will go to Alexandra Park for approximately a mile and then walkers will stop for a picnic in the park at 1pm until 2pm.

After lunch, it will then take a tour around Alexandra Park's listed structures and monuments and return to Oldham Mumps Metrolink stop at around 3.30pm. 

Tickets cost £20 for a full day or £10 for half a day and children and dogs are welcome to join.

Tickets can be purchased in advance by via wegottickets.com.

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