A heart-warming Grá for Gaza event
“It's impossible to stand back and bear witness and not try to do something to help the people of Gaza.”
The words of Cork activist chef Orla McAndrew who will be cooking up a storm at this year’s Grá to Gaza from Glenville fundraising event at Glenville House this Saturday.
Orla, who is an award-winning zero waste chef and author, will be creating a delicious Palestinian inspired menu on the night with all proceeds going to the Lifeblood Foundation and touring children’s art exhibition, The heART of Gaza.
The Lifeblood Foundation is a Canadian-Palestinian NGO which aims to restore dignity, provide hope, and improve the quality of life for refugees and people in need. The charity helps support Gazans both in Gaza and in those displaced in Egypt.
All are invited to take part in the event which promises an evening of community, solidarity, food, and music in aid of the people of Gaza, all to the backdrop of the beautiful Glenville House and its grounds.
The funds will also go towards helping Hakem family in Gaza who have a personal connection with chef Orla McAndrew.
Orla said: “Cooking is how I show love and it’s the very least I can do to try to raise some vital funds for my dear friends Wesam, Basma, and Aboud Hakem.”
Orla is co-organising the night with Cork Palestine Solidarity Campaign activist Gillian Carney and the night’s host Silvia Bence Jones of Glenville House.
Ms Carney extended a warm invitation to the people of Cork to come and show support at the event.
She said: “Following on from the beautiful and successful fundraising event at Glenville last year, we are once again hoping that you would join us for a heartwarming evening as we show our love, support, and solidarity for the people of Gaza as they find themselves trying to survive a devastating humanitarian crisis. Grá to Gaza from Glenville is a musical, cultural, and creative gathering.”
Starting at 6.30pm, the night will get underway with an elderflower cocktail or non-alcoholic elderflower spritz for every guest. Guests are invited to bring their own alcohol to the event as it will not be sold at the venue.
Guests are also advised to bring their singing voices with them as a spirited singsong led by Alan Carney on the piano is certain to kick off at some stage during the evening.
Host Silvia Bence Jones said: “Last year we spent a very special evening together alongside some of the Palestinian community of Cork.
“I am delighted to be able to organize this event with Gill Carney and Orla McAndrew. It will be a special evening to remember and show support and a delight for me to share our family home in this way,” she added.
Grá to Gaza from Glenville takes place this Saturday evening from 6.30pm at Glenville House, Glenville, county Cork.
Tickets cost €40 per person plus booking fee and are available from eventbrite.com under 'Grá to Gaza from Glenville'.