Acclaimed Irish singer and musician Clare Sands and her sister, paediatric physiotherapist Tiarna Sands, are gearing up for a major swim from Asia to Europe this Sunday, August 25 – to raise funds for two community organisations in Palestine: ACLAÍ Palestine and the Delia Arts Foundation.

Clare and Tiarna – who are both experienced open water swimmers – aim to swim six-and-a-half kilometres across the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey.

ACLAÍ Palestine is a community gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, established in 2020 by an Irish and Palestinian team, including West Belfast native Ainle Ó Cairealláin.

The Delia Arts Foundation, meanwhile, supports musicians, artists and their families in Gaza. Although their music centre was destroyed, the organisation continues to develop new projects and support artists through shelter solutions.

"Having spent some time in Palestine in 2021, in particular in the Aida Refugee Camp where ACLAÍ Palestine is located, Clare has seen the incredible work, heart and spirit that goes into this community space," the sisters explain on their GoFundMe page.

"Parallel to the unfolding horrific genocide in Gaza, the West Bank has seen a dramatic escalation in violence from the occupation, and we would like to show our support to this community."

 

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In addition to collaborations with the likes of Hothouse Flowers, Steve Cooney, Susan O’Neill, Niamh Regan, Mary Coughlan and more, Clare Sands has established herself as a deeply authentic and fearless force in Irish music – boldly blending traditional and contemporary ideas as a sixth generation fiddler and bilingual singer.

Tiarna also contributed vocals to Clare's self-titled album, released in 2022.

You can donate to Clare and Tiarna's GoFundMe campaign here.