20.01.2015
Prepare a Place Diocesan Appeal for Gaza – Update
Dublin and Glendalough’s ‘Prepare a Place Appeal’ for Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City has received almost €65,000 in donations to date. The organising committee is very grateful for all the contributions that have come in via Bishops’ Appeal so far and wishes to thank everyone who organised coffee mornings and other special events to raise funds to help the dioceses reach its target of €150,000. Their thanks go also to the many parishes and schools who donated the proceeds of collections at various services over Christmas and to individuals who remembered the Gaza appeal at their family gatherings over the festive season.
They would urge those who have organised events and parishes who took up collections but who have not yet submitted the proceeds to Bishops’ Appeal to do so as soon as possible. The appeal is ongoing and anyone who wishes to donate can still do so.
Donations to the ‘Prepare A Place’ Appeal can be made either by using the Bishops’ Appeal envelopes which are available in all parish churches or by electronic transfer to IBAN: IE31BOFI90001749839499 BIC: BOFIIE2D (reference Gaza). Cheques may be sent to: Bishop’s Appeal, Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6 or you may simply hand your donation in an envelope marked Gaza Appeal to your Rector.
The ‘Prepare a Place’ appeal was launched in November by Archbishop Michael Jackson. It aims to raise €150,000 for the Al Ahli Hospital where the money will be used to buy solar panels to ensure a constant electricity supply for the hospital and go towards improving on–call facilities for staff.
The hospital is run by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem and serves the entire community in Gaza, no matter what their religious or ethnic background. The provision of solar panels will directly meet a need at Al Ahli Hopsital. Currently in Gaza all homes, businesses and hospitals have only four hours electricity per day. Al Ahli Hospital has generators as back–up, and these allow operating theatres and electronic equipment to continue to be used. But fuel for generators is expensive, and one of the generators is 15 years old.
The cost of providing solar panels is €150,000, but this is a very cost effective project as the annual saving on fuel for the generators will be €80,000. It will also be more environmentally friendly.
The second proposal is for the refurbishment of the on–call doctors’ residence – an apartment on the top floor. It hasn’t been refurbished for more than 15 years. It is in poor condition, and has no hot water. It also needs to be enlarged to provide more beds.
The non–political appeal is being coordinated by a partnership between the diocesan Council for Mission, the United Society, Bishops’ Appeal and Friends of Sabeel. It is part of a longer term programme to develop a link between the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough and Jerusalem.
[Please note the change in IBAN address from that which was originally given out in some communications]
Photo captions:
Top – The parents’ association of Glebe National School in Wicklow held a coffee morning in aid of the ‘Prepare a Place’ Advent Appeal for Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.
Middle – Rathdown School organised a special collection for the emergency Advent Appeal for Gaza at their annual Carol Service in St Paul’s Church, Glenageary and they also contributed €1 from every ticket sold to their annual Christmas Lunch.
Bottom – The congregation of Straffan church donated to the Prepare a Place
campaign at their Carol Service. The children read the lessons, sang,
played the guitar, made Christingles and explained all about the Advent
Appeal.