By 
RESIDENTS of Greencastle who held a recent charity coffee morning to help build a mobile maternity unit to aid women left without safe medical services in Gaza have raised, to-date, nearly £12,000.
Supported by Greencastle GAA club, the event at Greencastle Community Centre was part of their recently-launched ‘Greencastle to Gaza’ campaign.
On the day, families from across Tyrone and beyond enjoyed an array of delicious treats, while children took part in fun activities, including arts and crafts and face painting.
The coffee morning further featured live entertainment from local talents such as Ciara Fox, Cara Rose Brogan, Maeve McElduff, Scór representatives and Cappagh Badoney CCÉ and raffle with fantastic prizes, generously donated by local businesses, was also held on the day.
The ‘Greencastle to Gaza’ campaign endeavours to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and show solidarity with the Palestinian people.
All funds raised will contribute to building a mobile maternity unit for Gaza, providing essential antenatal and postnatal care for women who have been left without safe medical services due to the near-total collapse of healthcare infrastructure following ongoing bombardment.
This unit will offer a clean and secure space for expectant mothers, aiming to reduce preventable maternal and neonatal deaths.
Sinéad Ní Mhearnóg, who is part of the ‘Greencastle to Gaza’ campaign, said that she was ‘overwhelmed’ with the generous donations.
“We, as a community have raised £11,937,” she said. “We are absolutely overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity. Such an amazing amount from the people of Greencastle and Glenelly.
“Every single person who baked, donated, bought raffle tickets or helped out contributed to this amazing amount.
“A small community – with a big heart”
“As mothers, we see our own children in the devastating images coming from Gaza,” Sinéad added. “This is a way for us to take action and stand together in our shared humanity.”