A gym jam for Palestine this Saturday
Members of Cork’s music community are set to raise the roof at a fundraiser for refugees in Palestine.
Cork gym owner Ainle Ó Cairealláin is aiming to raise €30,000 to open a community gym for the residents of the Aida refugee camp in the West Bank in Palestine.
Ainle and friend Alex Sampson are hosting the Gym Jam fundraiser on Saturday 20 July at Ainle’s personal training company ACLAÍ on Bishop Street.
Originally from West Belfast but living in Cork, Ainle is also the creator of the popular Rebel Matters podcast, and is leading the campaign to open the training facility in the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem.
Taking place from 2pm until late, the fundraiser will see outdoor performances from Moxie, Clare Sands, Elaine Malone, Nuadán and more during the day, with DJs Stevie G and Lisa Oh spinning tunes in between.
From 8pm, the event moves inside the gym, where Fish Go Deep, Kneecap, Paul T and Ciara Brady will keep everyone dancing well into the night.
It follows last year’s Gym Jam, which raised over €5,000 for the Irish Wheelchair Rugby team. All money raised will go directly to setting up the Palestine community gym at Aida refugee camp.
As well as the music, Gym Jam will also have activites for all ages until 7pm including balloon shaping, tarot reading and an indoor Palestinian pop-up market with goods imported directly from producers in the West Bank.
The pet-friendly event will also be selling tickets for the Gym Jam bumper raffle, the grand prize being a handmade bike worth €700. Food and drinks will be available throughout the day.
ACLAÍ’s target for this project is €30,000, with organisers aiming to provide an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together, sing and dance, all while pooling their resources to help those who don’t have the same luxuries as many in the west.
Day passes cost €10 and night passes cost €15. Tickets are available at uticket.ie, and a limited number will be available on the door.
Those unable to attend but who want to donate can support the cause on Gym Jam’s GoFundMe page.