THE GALWAY organisers of a medical relief effort for Gaza have ordered a third ship’s container due to an “overwhelming” response from the public.
Volunteers spent the weekend packing two 12-metre (40ft) freight containers with medical supplies, household goods, clothes and toys at the Black Box theatre in Galway.
“There’s great spirit among the people in this city,” Ms Treasa Ní Cheannabháin of the Galway Palestine Children’s Appeal said.
The charity had intended to load one container on Saturday, but took the decision on Friday to order a second due to the volume of material on offer.
Medical staff in the west have donated money and supplies, a guesthouse in Knock, Co Mayo sent beds, and Anthony Ryan’s retail business in Galway donated boxes of new clothes, and the Radisson Hotel in Galway gave 100 duvets and pillows.
“The acts of solidarity by ordinary people have been breathtaking,” Dr Philomena McKenna of the appeal said. “One man and his son arrived with a new computer and a PlayStation. Cantec in Galway was among the first businesses to offer us assistance, while Woodies are not only donating tools, but have helped us while we were loading a very heavy operating table. And Carabay Packaging have also supplied us with the means to pack much of the donations.” Ms Ní Cheannabháin and her husband Dr Saber El Safty, Egyptian-born Co Galway GP, initiated the appeal during their trip to Gaza last month. Donations are still being taken for the third container .