Derry IPSC activists delighted by success of fundraising fast

Two big-hearted Derry Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) activists have raised more than one thousand pounds for a local charity helping to feed communities in Gaza.

Mary Doherty and Rory McCartney observed the month of Ramadan by fasting, raising a phenomenal £1,280 for ‘Fund a Food Drop’ in the process.

Run by Derry’s Hilda Orr, ‘Fund a Food Drop’ is helping to feed communities in Nuseirat Camp in Northern Gaza and Rafah in Southern Gaza.

Rory said Mary and he had fasted during Ramadan to show solidarity with the Palestinian people.

“Particularly now at the minute when there are so many men, women and children starving in Gaza,” said Rory.

“Fasting was something Mary and I thought we could do to show solidarity and we were also raising some sponsor money to go towards Hilda’s group ‘Fund a Food Drop’ - a very worthy cause.

“So we did the fast during the 30 days of Ramadan, from sunup to sundown. The first few days, it was very tough, especially not being able to drink any liquids - no water or anything.

“However, after about the first three days, I started getting used to it, for about two weeks. However, when the clocks changed and sundown went from about quarter past six to about twenty past eight, those extra two hours were an absolute nightmare. I really struggled in the last week and a half.

“But Mary and I really supported one another by texting and phoning, just keeping each other going. And then, just looking at the news and seeing all of those poor people in Palestine and Gaza just gave you the determination to carry on. Sometimes it was hard, looking at those pictures and thinking, ‘I can eat now when the sun goes down’ and those poor people have absolutely nothing to eat.”

“It was just something small we thought we could do,” added Rory, “just to shine a spotlight on what is going on over there.”

Rory described himself as a member of Derry IPSC’s painting party, who recently painted the steps underneath the Foyle Bridge in the colours of the Palestinian flag.

“Of all the stuff we have done since October 7, painting the steps is the thing I am most proud of. It is getting a lot of traction.

“Regarding the fast, the most important thing for me was that there were two of us doing it and supporting each other. I don’t think I could have done it on my own.”