St Joseph’s Boys’ School holding a Christmas Appeal for Gaza

St Joseph’s Boys’ School in Derry is holding a Christmas Appeal for Gaza.

The event is taking place on Monday, December 15, from 9.00am to 11.30am and combines a non-uniform day and a coffee morning, with a £1 donation to each.

Speaking to The Derry News, St Joseph’s teacher, Gerry McBride said there would be various sweet treats in store.

“Pupils will be allocated times to come to the Assembly Hall and they are more than welcome to invite family members and friends,” said Mr McBride.

“We have invited various dignitaries," he added, “and we are hoping the local community will also get involved to show our support for Gaza.

“Thousands of pounds have been raised so far, and St Joseph’s staff are also undertaking a 40km sponsored walk / run, which is the length of Gaza.

“In addition, various raffles have taken place in the school for chocolate hampers and the winners have already received their prizes.

“Any donations are more than welcome and will be gratefully received,” said Mr McBride.

“As winter begins, the harsh weather means living conditions in Gaza are deteriorating and the risk of disease is spreading,” said Mr McBride. “The lack of suitable shelter means children are spending the cold nights without warm clothes or blankets.

“Recent heavy rain has caused flooding across Gaza, inundating shelter sites and collapsing tents. Many have found their vital belongings soaked through and destroyed,” he added.

“Over 80% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, and families are spending their third winter in makeshift shelters having been displaced multiple times. The harsh weather means living conditions are deteriorating and the risk of diseases is spreading.

“We are working to provide water and medical supplies are urgently needed now and for the cold months ahead,” said Mr McBride.

According to Siobhain Grogan from the ‘Uisce for Gaza’ team, the demand for clean drinking water in Gaza is now greater than ever.

So much so the organisation has reopened its fundraising on iDonate - https://www.idonate.ie/ crowdfunder/UisceForGaza.

“Every donation makes a difference, and we welcome any fundraising ideas or support people can offer,” said Ms Grogan. “It currently costs approximately €280 to deliver 4,500 litres of clean drinking water.

“Uisce for Gaza has provided over 4.1 million litres of clean drinking water since August 2024. This is thanks to the amazing teams on the ground in Gaza. We will forever appreciate those who have delivered water in the most challenging of conditions,” she added.

“Mohammed was the first to deliver for Uisce for Gaza and is now back working with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He will always be a very important part of the Uisce for Gaza story.

“Asem is an engineer who specialises in water and sanitation. He delivered for a short time and, very helpfully, he has tested the quality of the water that is being distributed by Uisce for Gaza to verify that it meets the required standards, according to Sphere guidelines and WHO (World Health Organisation) specifications. His brothers Hazem and Motasem both delivered many, many trucks of water and we are very grateful to them.

“Thanks, of course, to Kamal who continues to make daily deliveries of water. His dedication to his community to ensure that people have regular access to clean drinking water continues to inspire.

“Of course, the deliveries could not happen without the generosity, empathy and humanity of the adults and children, around Ireland and beyond, who have organised fundraising events or made individual donations, sometimes to celebrate the life of somebody dear to them,” said Ms Ms Grogan.

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The event was part of the Holywell Trust's 'Forward Thinking Project'

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She added: “We commend schools that ensured their students' learning came out of books and into the real world. We thank businesses that have sponsored trucks of water too. We all have power, we need to use it to do good. Ni neart go cur le chéile

“Israel has damaged huge amounts of water infrastructure, forcing people to walk long distances to reach the nearest water sources. Uisce for Gaza wants to bring water nearer to as many people as possible. We need your help to do that.

“A truck with 4,500 litres of clean drinking water currently costs approximately €280. Donors of this amount or more will have their name on a truck to acknowledge their sponsorship. Smaller donations will be combined to fund full trucks so every single euro helps. Larger donations will simply fund more trucks.

“By supporting this initiative, you can make a meaningful, practical difference to the lives of many people who feel abandoned and desperate. Don't just feel sorry for people, take positive action.”