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Activist Ruth Herbert has spent the past six and a half months walking from the United Kingdom to Türkiye and expects to reach Istanbul on Saturday.
She is preparing to close a 4,000-mile journey she began to raise funds for Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.
Herbert is a 52-year-old businesswoman from Arnside, who left her home on May 2 with an initial fundraising target of £25,000 ($32,820) for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
She has since raised more than £44,000 (around $58,000) and aims to reach £50,000 as she completes the final steps of her “Big Trek 4 Palestine”.
Herbert told Anadolu Agency that images from Gaza created a sense of urgency.
“The idea for this walk came from a growing feeling that I needed to do more,” she said, adding that she wanted to support MAP during what she described as a period of deep suffering for Palestinians.
Herbert crossed 12 countries on foot. She travelled the length of England before moving through France and climbing across the Alps into Switzerland.
She followed the ancient Via Francigena into Italy and continued toward Slovenia. From there, she began a long route through the Balkans, including a difficult passage through Bosnia on paths known for wildlife encounters and minefields.
In Montenegro, the Palestinian Ambassador welcomed her and hosted her during part of her stay. Herbert then continued into Albania, North Macedonia and Greece before entering Türkiye.
She is now heading toward Istanbul along sections of the Sultans Trail, an old Byzantine path that led travellers into the city.
Herbert posted daily updates throughout the journey on Instagram and Facebook.
Her photos and short videos describe long days on the road, support from strangers, and the friends who joined her for individual stages.
In each post, she brought the focus back to Palestinians and to the purpose of the trek.
Herbert said she felt that public demonstrations no longer felt sufficient. “Seeing the suffering of Palestinians made me want to act,” she said.
She explained that spending months outdoors helped her cope mentally while turning her concern into something concrete. “What we do may seem small, but doing something matters,” she said.
She described the walk as physically demanding but also an honor. Along the way, she met supporters of the Palestinian cause in Europe and said she saw widespread concern about events in Gaza.
She believes individual actions can build momentum. “When each of us does something, we create a wave,” she told Anadolu. “People share strong emotions about what is happening. Every step brings people together who feel the same way.”
Herbert urged supporters to stay engaged, stressing that “We cannot watch people be destroyed or forced from their homes”. “We must work for justice. Palestine needs both peace and justice.”
Herbert has already passed the £44,000 mark and hopes to meet her updated £50,000 target once she reaches Istanbul.
MAP, the charity she supports, provides medical assistance to Palestinians living under occupation and in refugee communities.
After finishing the trek, Herbert plans to return home by train. She expects the transition to feel intense after six months on the road. “Going home will be a big change,” she said. “I want to see how far I have travelled. Then I will meet my family in London.”
Herbert ended her latest interview with a message: “Keep speaking up for Palestine.”
3 min read
