Irish-Palestinian sisters hope to raise €50k in just 1 day to help extended family in Gaza

Irish-Palestinian sisters are hoping to raise €50,000 in just 1 day to help their extended family in Gaza. 

Waterford natives Sara and Emma Abu Selmia launched a fundraiser at the start of January with the goal of raising €100,000 for their aunts, uncles and cousins displaced from their homes in Gaza. 

The sisters planned to run or walk 320km by the end of the month, representing the 40km distance that their aunts, uncles and their families each had to travel by foot when they were displaced from their home in Northern Gaza to Rafa in the South. 

By day 28, Emma had completed 290.9km and Sara had crossed the 300km mark with 302.9km. 

So far, they have raised €51,354 with just one day to go until the end of the month. 

An explainer on their Go Fund Me page states: "Our dad left Gaza in 1984 to finish his studies in Ireland where he met our mum. Our dad has 6 brother and 2 sisters living in Gaza who along with their husbands, wives and children have been displaced from their homes, with some now living in tents and struggling to find food and clean water.

"They left their homes in Northern Gaza with a single backpack each as the area was becoming too unsafe to stay in. Their homes have been destroyed and levelled to the ground along with all their belongings. When the war is over they have nowhere to go home to." 

According to the sisters, all money raised will go directly to their family, many of whom work in Gazan hospitals. 

The fundraiser stated: "The money raised will be distributed to those in greatest need to try and rebuild their lives after the war." 

Anyone wishing to donate to the girls' fundraiser can do so here.