There was over 250 friends and family present at midnight last night to greet the second group of convoy drivers to return from Gaza. The mood was fantastic with much chanting, posters, flags, banners and flowers. Large groups of children waiting for their parents converged on the arrival doors and swarmed the drivers as they entered. Many present were visibly overcome with the occasion and many tears were shed.

There were groups from Dewsbury, Birmingham, Bolton and Manchester. On behalf of Viva Palestina, Chris Chilvers welcomed each back with a hug, handshake, smile and congratulations on a historic and heroic mission accomplished. Some teams remain in Gaza, assessing aid requirements and building twinning links.

More arrive tonight and Saturday. There is an initial Greater Manchester celebration at Saffron, Cheetham Hill Road, in Manchester on Monday at 7.00pm. The following Saturday will see a social event in Birmingham. A North West celebration will occur in a couple of weeks once all our teams have returned.

'Viva, Viva Palestina!'

More pictures here