Over 300 people were in attendance at Ensbury Park Community centre in Bournemouth to support a Gaza relief fundraiser.
An array of locally made halal, vegetarian and sweet dishes were on sale in the centre, with all proceeds going towards the Plant the Land organisation based in Gaza, Palestine.
The charity was known for buying and distributing vegan food, seeds and farming tools to Gazan residents and farmers respectively, however the vicious conflict has forced more of an emphasis on getting money into Gaza to provide essentials such as food, water, clothing, bedding and housing support to those in need.
The event on October 26 was organised by Tama Merdaci, a volunteer for the organisation who has set up seven more successful fundraisers this year alone.
“17 of my friends and 19 children I have taught have passed away in the conflict. I had to do something,” Tama told BUzz.
The fundraiser attracted people of Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Jewish faiths to raise money for those displaced or affected by the war raging in Palestine.
“I’ve always been close to and supported the people of Palestine,” she added.
Charity founder Anas Arafat, a lawyer currently working and living in Palestine, told BUzz more about the team’s work in the warzone.
“The team and I are working on the ground and we’re doing our best to help families that have lost their homes and businesses.”
Efforts by volunteers of the charity raised over £8,500 in that week alone.
Sixty people were allowed in the community center at a time due to its size, but there were queues at the entrance and lots of people in the surrounding park who were waiting to buy food for change.
Claire Wade was another volunteer working at the fundraiser, who was selling cakes and sweet treats.
“People are buying huge amounts already. It has been absolutely fantastic,” she told BUzz.
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