Fundraiser for my two friends trapped in Gaza

Fundraiser for my two friends trapped in Gaza: 75 Minutes for 75 Years

Hi, my name is Lorccan and in the month of January, I will be walking 75 minutes a day in aid of my two friends trapped in Gaza as they seek to obtain expedited visas in Egypt.

The horrors of besiegement, apartheid, forcible displacement, and genocide are nothing new to the Palestinian people. Unfortunately, this has been their reality since the Nakba (lit 'Catastrophe') 75 years ago, when the State of Israel was founded. With this in mind, the number 75 is symbolic and acts as a stark reminder that this conflict did not begin on October 7th. As horrific and condemnable as that day was, the Hell that has rained down on the innocent civilian population of Gaza ever since can never be justified.

Over 24,000 people are now dead, mostly women and children. Over 50,000 are injured. Up to 2 million people are now displaced. The healthcare system has completely collapsed. There is severely limited access to food, water, and electricity. Among those civilians facing this unprecedented nightmare are my friends, Hala and Akram.

I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Hala in 2021 when we studied together at University College Dublin. While a colleague of mine there, Hala proved herself not just to be a conscientious and hardworking student but also demonstrated her moral decency, generosity, warmness, and good humour. These were just some of the attributes that led us to become such good friends and I cherish the times we shared together in Dublin before she returned to Gaza in the spring of 2022.

We maintained regular contact online ever since then, with the hope that someday we would be able to meet again. Through these video calls, I also got to know her husband, Akram. Just like his wife, he has proven himself to be a good-natured person who I now, too, consider a close friend. However, I can see how this incessant bombardment and humanitarian disaster is traumatising them and breaking their spirits. This is now a matter of life and death. As a friend, I cannot stand by and do nothing.

That's why I'm reaching out, asking for your support to contribute in any way you can to help Hala and Akram secure a safe route out of the Strip. Initially, Hala and Akram's aim was to escape Gaza for Egypt. Unfortunately, however, such permits cannot be obtained at this time. Now, they are attempting to get to Canada through the Temporary Gaza Measures Programme.

All of the proceeds will be directed towards assisting Hala and Akram in securing a safe route out of Gaza to reach Canada. Should they be unsuccessful in their attempts to get out of Gaza, then the money raised will be dedicated to helping them rebuild their lives. Thank you for reading until the end, I am very grateful for your time, your support, and donation - it will make a genuine difference for my friends.