Thousands raised through popular ‘Olive Branch for Gaza’ coffee morning at Derry St. Joseph’s Boys School

The City and District’s Mayor, Grace Uí Niallais, Foyle MP Colum Eastwood, Bishop of Derry, Dr. Dónal McKeown, local MLAs, councillors, community groups, families and friends joined the students and teachers to show their support for this worthy cause, now in its sixth year.

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Event organiser, Mr. Gerry McBride said he was delighted that there were so many faces through the door and proud to see the many donations contributed towards the worthy cause.

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‘We at St Joseph’s offered a warm welcome today, tea/coffee, buns, pastry and sandwiches as well as a lovely social environment to chat on the situation that continues in Gaza today. Everyone put their hands into their pockets.

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“It was great to see so many from neighbouring schools, students, teachers and principals showing their support as well as Siobhain Grogan, Uisce for Gaza.”

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Uisce for Gaza is led by Irish teacher Siobhain Grogan. It is an initiative dedicated to delivering clean drinking water to the population of Gaza. St Joseph’s said they are delighted to welcome Siobhain as a guest speaker at this event.

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Working in partnership with the Kildare branch of the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the project has successfully delivered over six 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.

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Also speaking at Monday’s event, Principal Mrs. Ciara Deane said the St. Joseph’s Boys’ School family were proud of the monies raised for such a worthwhile cause.

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"It was great to see our Mayor, MP and Bishop among others show their support. Our students, staff, and wider community have supported this effort through a range of initiatives, including sponsored fasts, non-uniform days, and coffee mornings.”

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Funds are sent directly to Uisce for Gaza and distributed through Kamal Aljojo who has seen both his home and business destroyed. Kamal organises the delivery of Uisce for Gaza water trucks. He focuses on areas not reached by the bigger aid agencies.

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The staff and students of St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, together with the local community, also wished to extend their 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.

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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 that St. Joseph’s became involved in the Uisce for Gaza campaign.