Two Sudanese men who walked 900 miles across the UK to raise money for schools in Sudan have said they were surprised by the kindness they received, challenging negative perceptions of the country.
Giel Malual and John Kuei trekked from Dungeness in Kent to John o'Groats in Caithness over 33 days, initially aiming to raise £35,000 for a school in a Sudanese refugee camp in Chad. However, due to overwhelming public support, they have now raised £90,000 and plan to build multiple schools.
Despite concerns about how they would be treated amid the current political climate, the pair were met with warmth and generosity. They received offers of hot meals, free accommodation, and donations from strangers who stopped to chat. Some Airbnb hosts even refunded them.
Giel told the Guardian: 'We hear a lot of negativity from a loud minority in this country... But we have seen for ourselves there's nothing to actually fear.' He emphasised that the 'true value' of British society was people helping them 'without judging us based on what we look like.'
The duo were supported by Asylum Speakers, an organisation amplifying refugee voices. They completed their journey at Duncansby Head lighthouse in Scotland on Wednesday, and were given a heroes' welcome upon returning to London.
