‘Derg to Derry’ walk raises over £3,000 for charity

A 25-MILE walk from Castlederg to the Free Gaza mural in Derry, held last month by Sinn Féin activists, has raised a grand total of £3,858 which will go to the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS).

West Tyrone MLA, Maolíosa McHugh, who took part in the walk, has praised the solidarity with the Palestinian people shown by locals.

He said, “The substantial amount raised in just this one local event reflects the massive solidarity of the community for the people of Gaza and West Bank at the hands of this genocidal Israeli regime.

“I thank each and every person who sponsored the local activists who took part, for their generosity. The amount raised locally will be added to the proceeds of other fundraising events undertaken by party activists on a national basis. The combined total will help make a practical difference on the ground.”

Mr McHugh also took time to heap praise on the work undertaken by the Palestinian Medical Relief Society in the region, saying, “With Gaza’s 38 hospitals now destroyed and/or rendered non-operational as a result of the Israeli onslaught and with hundreds of health workers being killed, the PMRS continues to provide lifesaving, essential healthcare to most of the people who remain in the Gaza Strip.

“PMRS has mobilised and established 30 primary healthcare teams that are spread across the entire Gaza Strip.

“These teams are now taking care of around 90 per-cent of primary healthcare needs despite the daily threat of possibly being killed. They are unsung heroes and it is important to show solidarity with them by supporting their efforts.”