Following a major cycle around Ireland, which kicked off on May 25, Ainle Ó Cairealláin and Stíofán Ó Luachráin have made it back to Belfast – and have surpassed their Ride For Gaza campaign target of €60,000.

The funds will allow them to directly help families in Gaza through vital food packages and aid – with €60,000 allowing them to deliver 600 food packages to 600 families.

In addition to online donations, the Ride For Gaza campaign featured community fundraisers at various points on Ainle and Stíofán's journey, including a final homecoming at the Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich in Belfast.

"We are home, the cycle is over, and thanks to a huge collective effort we have smashed through the target of our online fundraising campaign," Ainle posted on social media.

"Cycling around Ireland was a privilege and very special experience, and we kept in mind the serious and urgent message that was behind the campaign as we made our way round the country and spoke at the various events," he continued. "We all have a duty to do what we can to bring this genocide to an end, and we hope this campaign goes a bit towards the fulfilment of that duty for all who have been a part of it."

Ride For Gaza was a collaboration between Cairde Palestine, Glór na Móna, ACLAÍ Palestine, Beit Lahia Development Association, and Gaza Stars Circus School. Ainle is the co-founder of ACLAÍ Palestine, a community gym located in the Lajee Centre in the Aida refugee camp, in the West Bank.

KNEECAP – whose member Móglaí Bap is Ainle's brother – were among the artists who shared their support for the campaign. Damien Dempsey also performed a moving rendition of his song 'Colony' on Instagram in support – while John Spillane, Clare Sands and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh were among the performers at the community fundraising events.

"Many Palestinians have been murdered since we started our cycle, including well over 280 killed in a joint Israeli-American massacre two days ago to supposedly rescue hostages," Ainle resumed in his social media post. "We hope our campaign will make a difference to those in Gaza who are fighting for their very survival in the face of all they are being hit with.

"The next phase is the most important of the project," he added, "getting the food parcels to the families who desperately need them. We will be posting updates on this in the coming days."

"The Donor Box campaign is still live for anyone who would like to chip in," he concluded. "The cycle is over but the campaign is just beginning."

You can donate to the Ride For Gaza campaign here. 

 

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