The name of Ibn Zuhr has been chosen by the 'Dove and Dolphin' in order to recall the golden age of Islam and the Arab peoples, and thus to honour both.

The Dove and Dolphin Charity (UK Charity Commission Reg No 1100119) was founded by the voyage of the same name in February 2003, David Halpin FRCS chartered the 66 metre MV Barbara. The Danish crew brought him, three other Britons and 50 tons of first class food to Ashdod for the poorest families in Gaza. There were also medical supplies, clothing and wool for weaving in Gaza. David wanted to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their agony and to show our common humanity. He was crying out for Palestine and shouting against the looming war on Iraq.

The charity has done a good deal of useful work since then with children and for education. An early example was the purchase of some thousands of uniforms which were made to order in Gaza. Later stainless steel water tanks were manufactured in Gaza and installed in six schools (a drop in the ocean - most were supplied by larger charities). Recently a computer room was opened at the Al Salama Rehabilitation Unit for the more disabled people. Small business schemes was started last April, the first be a personal laundry. Loans of $2500 are made once the plans are approved and this is paid back over 30 months. With 92% of firms closed in Gaza, this initiative is but a speck but a few families are lifted up.

David has been back to Gaza eight times. He was told on his first visit that the medical services were 'struggling' and lay people asked that he saw patients and carried out some surgery. This was inappropriate for several reasons. Besides, no doctor or hospital had asked for that. He decided to concentrate on helping medical education within Gaza. He was introduced to Dr Khamis Elessi of El Wafa hospital in 2004. Together they have spent a great deal of time and effort on stimulating postgraduate medical education. They decided that a forum should be made out of one floor of a building across the road from El Wafa.

The Dove and Dolphin International Medical Centre was opened in March 2007. Palestinians, mostly doctors, were joined by David and six other British doctors from varied disciplines. It was a dangerous time in Gaza but they came willingly; they left early though! Lectures were given on iron deficiency anaemia, diabetes, neonatal resuscitation, renal stone, hypertension, endocrine physiology and more. There was lively discussion. The centre was off to a good start but the siege continued to throttle medical education in so many ways, as it did everything else – except the black market. Petrol became a precious fluid.

Khamis and David continued to discuss what could be done within these chains to advance medical education and congress in Gaza, and between it and the 'West Bank'. This web site is one outcome.

Trustees of The Dove and The Dolphin Charity - registered with the UK Charity Commission 1100119 - Susan Halpin SRN Mother and nurse: Ann Alfulaij SRN Mother and nurse: Yousef Zawahreh PhD Materials scientist: John Hingley formerly trawler owner - one of the four British passengers on the voyage of the Dove and the Dolphin in February 2003: David Halpin MB BS FRCS Orthopaedic and trauma surgeon Chairman of Trustees. Representing the Dove and Dolphin in Gaza - Nihad Taha degree in computer engineering - resident of Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip.