Giel McMalual and John Kuei
South Sudanese refugees and human rights advocates Giel McMalual and John Kuei are walking the entire length of the UK to raise £35,000 for Sudan.
The Long Walk of Freedom for Sudan, which began on 19 December 2025, is a humanitarian fundraising initiative supporting Sudanese children displaced by the ongoing conflict. Millions of families have been forced to flee their homes, with thousands of children now living in refugee camps in Chad, where access to education remains severely limited.
All funds raised through the campaign will address this urgent need by supporting the construction of a primary school within a refugee camp in Chad, enabling children to learn in a safe and stable environment. The project aims to create an inclusive learning space where children can regain a sense of dignity, normalcy, and hope for the future.
Originally from South Sudan and currently based in the UK, McMalual is a refugee rights and human rights advocate, public speaker, and survivor of displacement. He is leading the fundraising initiative independently and not on behalf of any registered charity organisation.
The fundraiser has already raised over £56,000, surpassing its original target, and has now set a new goal of £60,000. “Funds raised through this campaign will be held in my personal fundraising account and disbursed in stages to trusted local implementers, such as camp education committees, community leaders, or vetted local contractors who are directly involved in school construction and educational infrastructure. All transfers will be made using secure and regulated financial channels, and records will be maintained for accountability,” said McMalual.
“All funds will be used exclusively for education-related purposes. No funds will be used for personal income, political activities, or unrelated expenses. Donors will receive regular public updates, including progress reports and visual documentation where available,” he added.
Main city stops and meeting points (in order):
- London – Charing Cross
- Leicester – Leicester Station
- Leeds – Leeds Station
- Glasgow – High Street Station
- Inverness – Inbhir Nis Station
- Final destination – Duncansby Head Lighthouse
War broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in the deaths of nearly 200,000 people and the displacement of between 12 and 14 million. According to the UN, it is now the world’s largest displacement crisis and the worst humanitarian crisis.
For more information or to donate to the fundraiser, visit gofundme.com/f/the-long-walk-of-freedom-for-sudan.
