Claire Brown – 19th January 2026 – 11.30am.
A paramedic from Birmingham completed an epic 550km cycle charity ride across Saudi Arabia earlier this month raising almost £5,000 for orphans in Gaza.
West Midlands Ambulance Service Paramedic Adi Ahmed, based at Erdington hub, took part in the Pedal4Orpans challenge at the start of 2026 and cycled a phenomenal 550km between two of Islam’s holiest of cities; Makka to Madinah.
Adi cycled for four days, with around 60 others taking part in the challenge, raising £4,800 in total. The money enabled him to provide food, clothing and essential support for eight orphans to make the pilgrimage to Makkah, called Umrah – a sacred, spiritual journey for the Islamic faith.
Adi, 36, from Edgbaston said: “I personally raised just under £5k, but as a group and collectively we raised well over £220k. It was such a humbling and beautiful experience. In total there were over 700 children we helped through partner charities. Honestly, to give these children a glimpse of hope was amazing. Thank you to everyone for their support, whether that was through donations or well wishes.”
ENDS