St Joseph's hosting Olive Branch for Gaza Appeal
St Joseph’s Boys’ Schools’ chosen charity Uisce for Gaza has dedicated volunteers working on the ground in Gaza
St Joseph’s Boys’ School, Derry is hosting its annual Olive Branch for Gaza Appeal to raise funds for the provision of water trucks for the people of Gaza.
The school’s chosen charity, Uisce for Gaza, has dedicated volunteers working on the ground in Gaza who, with continued support, make this vital work possible.
Teacher Gerry McBride, event co-organiser said: “The Coffee Morning will take place on Monday, June 22, in St Joseph’s Assembly Hall, from 9:00am to 11:00am. All are warmly welcome, and we hope that parents, members of the local community, community groups, and political representatives will be able to join us.
‘St Joseph’s Boys’ School has proudly raised tens of thousands of pounds for Uisce for Gaza’
“Uisce for Gaza, spearheaded by Irish teacher Siobhain Grogan, is an initiative committed to delivering clean drinking water to the people of Gaza. We are delighted to welcome Siobhain as a guest speaker at this event.
“Working in partnership with the Kildare branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the project has successfully delivered over 6 million litres of clean drinking water to Gaza since August 2024. It costs approximately €280 to fund a full truckload of water, and contributions of any amount are deeply appreciated,” said Mr McBride.
Teacher, Ms Ann Marie Meehan, Olive Branch for Gaza Appeal co-organiser added: “St Joseph’s Boys’ School has proudly raised tens of thousands of pounds for Uisce for Gaza.
“Our students, staff, and wider community have supported this effort through a range of initiatives, including sponsored fasts, non-uniform days, and coffee mornings. Funds are sent directly to Uisce for Gaza and distributed through Mohammed Alazzami, a teacher and community worker in Khan Younis, who coordinates the delivery of water trucks (each carrying 4,500 litres) to areas without access to mainstream aid.
“Uisce for Gaza provides regular updates and acknowledgements on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, with our most recent contribution—Truck 1493 - delivered on May 17, 2026”.
The staff and students of St Joseph’s Boys’ School, together with the local community, also extend “deepest and most heartfelt” condolences to the family of Dermot Gallagher, who sadly passed away at the beginning of this year — particularly to his wife, Carol, and his children, Éimhear, Fionn, and Éabha, as well as to his friends and colleagues.
“Dermot was a dedicated teacher at St Brigid’s College and a committed member of Na Magha CLG, Derry’s only hurling and camogie club. He also served as an INTO union official and representative, working tirelessly in support of his fellow educators to ensure justice in the workplace and beyond.
“Dermot was hugely active in encouraging schools across Derry to come together in support of the people of Gaza, and it was through his guidance and encouragement that St. Joseph’s became involved in the Uisce for Gaza campaign.
“A true gentleman, Dermot touched the lives of many in Derry, in the north and far, far beyond our borders. He is remembered with great fondness and deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him and who have been inspired to continue putting the spotlight on justice for all.
“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”