Tyrone to Gaza

puc me · February 06, 2009, 11:06:45 PM

keep it lit john i will be up on sunday or tuesday with a £100,

give her dixie · February 08, 2009, 11:38:14 PM

Well folks, have had an incredible 2 days collecting clothes and blankets at the Oaks Centre. The response so far has been amazing.

We have about 200 bags of clothes and blankets so far. There was an appeal read out at all the local churches this morning, and today, despite the snow, a lot of people stopped by to donate aid. We did a collection in the local bars last night and we raised over £400. Malachi Cush interviewed me today on his radio show, and it too has proved to be a big benefit.

If anyone wants to sponsor a blanket for Gaza, you can contact Home Furnishing Solutions at the Oaks Centre, Dungannon on +4428 8772 9119. They are a heavy duty blanket, and cost £15. £10 from every sale goes to the Gaza appeal.You can pay by credit card, and if you wish to send a message with it, they will put a card in with it.

We are going well, and we have no doubt that we will have the lorry filled before we leave. It was good to see and talk to a few board members who stopped by with clothes, jerseys, and cash. Thanks a million lads for your donations. At this stage, what has been pledged by the board stands at just under £1,000, so you can all feel really proud of yourselves. You are playing a vital role in this journey. Thank you all.

My cousin wont be travelling with me now, however a good friend of mine who lives in Wales is going with me now. He is a writer, and he wants to write about the journey and subsequent destination of Gaza. It should make for some reading.......

So keep the support going, as I leave this Friday. I will be leaving from Rosslare and sail to Pembrooke, which suits me for collecting Greg in Cardiff. If I have enough time, I might stop by Croke Park for a photo! Then onto London for 11am where the convoy will leave from the Embankment at The Houses Of Parliment. So if anyone is in London this weekend, swing by and show your support.

If anyone has any contacts in the press or media, please let them know about this trip to Gaza, and see if they will give it some press. Plus, if everyone asked their clubs for any jerseys, it will really add to the total. Lets see how many we can send .........

Anyway, thanks a million for the support, and check out the lorry on the link below. Maybe An Fear will load them up on the thread. Thanks Fear once again for your help in getting Dungannon Clarkes involved. They have weighed in well behind the project.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35125248@N03/

Tyrone To Gaza

John

P.S. Tomorrow, Tyrones number one fan, Datsun Donaghy will be calling in to give us a hand collecting donations............................

DrinkingHarp · February 09, 2009, 12:08:04 AM

GHD,

Can you give daily updates on your travel to Gaza via the board? I think it would be interesting to hear how the trip transpires to your destination for myself and everyone else on here.

There are some who talk about action and there are people who act , great job!!!!

mylestheslasher · February 09, 2009, 08:23:48 AM

I have two bags of adult clothes and 1 box of baby clothes packed up in the house ready for delivery. I think a lad I know is heading to Dungannon this week so he'll bring them up for me. If not I'll drive up myself wed/thur. Well done to all concerned.

An Fear Rua · February 09, 2009, 08:39:18 AM

DrinkingHarp · February 09, 2009, 08:30:55 PM

http://www.indymedia.ie/article/91006

lfdown2 · February 09, 2009, 08:57:14 PM

dixie, how long are ye's in london for, times?

give her dixie · February 10, 2009, 12:38:18 AM

Well folks, update on day 3 of "Tyrone To Gaza".............

Well, the bags of clothes and blankets just came thick and fast all day, and already the lorry is half full. Going by the amount of people coming back with stuff to us, the lorry will be stuffed to the ceiling leaving on Friday.

Today, 3 local actors stopped by to lend their support. Conor Grimes, (Datsun), and the other half of his comic duo Alan Mc Kee took time out from rehearsals of their hit play "The History Of The Troubles", and came up from Belfast. For anyone who hasn't seen this play, do yourselves a favour and go see it.
Liam Mc Mahon, star of the recent movie "Hunger", stopped by as well. It was fantastic to recieve their support, along with the many bags of clothes they donated.
Had Michael Cullen take a few photo's, and he is to send them around to a few national papers, so keep a look out!!

I intend to keep an update going on here as best I can, permitting on coverage. I am taking my laptop, digital camera, and digital camcorder along, so If I have the coverage, i'll be posting as much as possible. If anyone knows of a satellite phone that could be donated for a month, let me know.

Hopefully on Thursday morning, Cuthbert Donnelly will be bringing along the Sam Maguire and the Tom Markham. I have no idea what the people in Gaza are going use them for!!!! Also, I hope to have representives of the local clubs and beyond there too, and have a bit of media interest. So, if any of you are around Dungannon on Thursday morning about 10 ish, please call in and you can represent the board. Would be great to have a rep there since your support and motivation so far has been invaluable. Thank you all.

My friend Greg in Cardiff has been doing well fundraising. He is good friends withThe Super Furry Animals, and they have kindly donated four beautiful posters, signed by them. One is for the Royal Festival Hall gig in 2007-2008. 2 are for "The gift that keeps giving" (very apt) and the last is for their sngle "Demons". He will be selling them individually at some stage to the highest bidder, so that should bring in some good money.

Plus, A 90min documentary has been commisioned, and it follow the convoy from London through to Rafah. The docmentary is going to be produced by Louis Grover, directed by Gavin Searle and edited by Ken Loach, the award winning director of "The Wind That Shakes The Barley". A producer and a camera man will follow the journeys of 6 to 8 vehicles, alternating between the vehicles, and follow them all the way. Now, how could they go past the "Tyrone To Gaza" lorry.........

For anyone in London, or have friends in London, tell them to come along and support the convoy leaving. For now, we are leaving the Embankment at 11am, but if that changes, I will let you know. Cuchulainns GAA club SE London has donated a set of jerseys, and will meet me on Saturday with them. Great support from the club there.

Fergus Mc Anallen has an appeal out for me for jerry cans, as he is a mod on a Rally Forum, and he has secured a few for us in short notice. 2 different men in Cork and Kerry even offered us cans and tools, if we could get them up. It's so heart warming to see such generosity for so far and near. A few friends of mine in California and Oregon, have called up and sponsored a few blankets as well..

So, day 4 will be another chapter, and no doubt I will have another few stories for you tomorrow night. Oh, by the way, funniest story so far happened on Saturday night in Mc Graths bar in Dungannon. I was collecting with the bucket, and his woman told me she wasn't going to donate to Gaza as he was just an alcoholic! The face on her when she realised it was the wrong Gaza was absolutly priceless............... Sure what would he do with all those blankets and clothes eh?

Tyrone To Gaza

John

mylestheslasher · February 10, 2009, 08:13:48 AM

Quote from: give her dixie on February 10, 2009, 12:38:18 AM
Well folks, update on day 3 of "Tyrone To Gaza".............

Well, the bags of clothes and blankets just came thick and fast all day, and already the lorry is half full. Going by the amount of people coming back with stuff to us, the lorry will be stuffed to the ceiling leaving on Friday.

Today, 3 local actors stopped by to lend their support. Conor Grimes, (Datsun), and the other half of his comic duo Alan Mc Kee took time out from rehearsals of their hit play "The History Of The Troubles", and came up from Belfast. For anyone who hasn't seen this play, do yourselves a favour and go see it.
Liam Mc Mahon, star of the recent movie "Hunger", stopped by as well. It was fantastic to recieve their support, along with the many bags of clothes they donated.
Had Michael Cullen take a few photo's, and he is to send them around to a few national papers, so keep a look out!!

I intend to keep an update going on here as best I can, permitting on coverage. I am taking my laptop, digital camera, and digital camcorder along, so If I have the coverage, i'll be posting as much as possible. If anyone knows of a satellite phone that could be donated for a month, let me know.

Hopefully on Thursday morning, Cuthbert Donnelly will be bringing along the Sam Maguire and the Tom Markham. I have no idea what the people in Gaza are going use them for!!!! Also, I hope to have representives of the local clubs and beyond there too, and have a bit of media interest. So, if any of you are around Dungannon on Thursday morning about 10 ish, please call in and you can represent the board. Would be great to have a rep there since your support and motivation so far has been invaluable. Thank you all.

My friend Greg in Cardiff has been doing well fundraising. He is good friends withThe Super Furry Animals, and they have kindly donated four beautiful posters, signed by them. One is for the Royal Festival Hall gig in 2007-2008. 2 are for "The gift that keeps giving" (very apt) and the last is for their sngle "Demons". He will be selling them individually at some stage to the highest bidder, so that should bring in some good money.

Plus, A 90min documentary has been commisioned, and it follow the convoy from London through to Rafah. The docmentary is going to be produced by Louis Grover, directed by Gavin Searle and edited by Ken Loach, the award winning director of "The Wind That Shakes The Barley". A producer and a camera man will follow the journeys of 6 to 8 vehicles, alternating between the vehicles, and follow them all the way. Now, how could they go past the "Tyrone To Gaza" lorry.........

For anyone in London, or have friends in London, tell them to come along and support the convoy leaving. For now, we are leaving the Embankment at 11am, but if that changes, I will let you know. Cuchulainns GAA club SE London has donated a set of jerseys, and will meet me on Saturday with them. Great support from the club there.

Fergus Mc Anallen has an appeal out for me for jerry cans, as he is a mod on a Rally Forum, and he has secured a few for us in short notice. 2 different men in Cork and Kerry even offered us cans and tools, if we could get them up. It's so heart warming to see such generosity for so far and near. A few friends of mine in California and Oregon, have called up and sponsored a few blankets as well..

So, day 4 will be another chapter, and no doubt I will have another few stories for you tomorrow night. Oh, by the way, funniest story so far happened on Saturday night in Mc Graths bar in Dungannon. I was collecting with the bucket, and his woman told me she wasn't going to donate to Gaza as he was just an alcoholic! The face on her when she realised it was the wrong Gaza was absolutly priceless............... Sure what would he do with all those blankets and clothes eh?

Tyrone To Gaza

John

For christ sake thats who I thought I was donating to. I'll keep me bag of clothes for myself now

An Fear Rua · February 10, 2009, 09:42:59 AM

Showing their support for the Tyrone To Gaza appeal, are Conor Grimes, Alan Mc Kee, and Liam Mc Mahon.
Conor and Alan are co writers of the smash hit play, "The History Of The Troubles", and Liam starred in the recent movie "Hunger"

An Fear Rua · February 10, 2009, 03:57:33 PM

Its a pity to hear of well know publican in Dungannon told give her dixie to" f**k off Im not giving anything to Gaza", what a feffin balloon

glens abu · February 10, 2009, 06:30:51 PM

Quote from: give her dixie on February 10, 2009, 06:23:38 PM
Fear, the man in question is very lucky that his father was born before him.
When asked if could put up a flyer I was told "Fcuk Gaza, not my problem. They will get no money out of me"
I told him I would gladly pass on his kind regards to the homeless people of Gaza when I got there.
That was in stark contrast to the staff and customers in ALL the bars in Irish Street, and on the Donaghmore Rd. In one bar a barmaid emptied out the contents of her tip jar.
As hundreds of people of people from all over Ireland and beyond have done so much for the people of Gaza, the actions of one small minded man will not dent my determination to help in whatever way I can.

Tyrone To Gaza

John

what a waste of space,the people of Dungannon should boycott that place.

mylestheslasher · February 10, 2009, 06:58:19 PM

Could anyone give me directions to where the collection is. I'll be coming from Enniskillen, will prob turn for Dungannon at fivemiletown. What are the roads like up there - any snow.

give her dixie · February 10, 2009, 11:22:10 PM

When you come through Fivemiletown, keep on the road for Belfast. You will pass through Clogher, then Augher, and then you will come to the infamous Ballygawley Roundabout. Stay on the road for Belfast and just as the M1 motorway begins, turn off for Dungannon. This will take you past Donnelly Motors on your left, just keep on the road for town centre. (Look out for Tyrone Crystal signs, and follow them). Past Donnellys, go through 2 set of lights, then turn right at a mini roundabout and go straight on at the next set past the chapel. Then when you come the roundabout, go right round and turn off for Coalisland. A short distance down, The Oaks Centre is on you right. We are at the front door.
When do you plan to come down? Will be great to meet you, however, I might be out and about so I will pm you my mobile.

John

Rav67 · February 10, 2009, 11:55:52 PM

Good to see the board sticker up John! Great to see the work you've put in asking individuals and organisations is paying fruit. Good luck, stay safe and hope the contributions of the gaaboard members can do some good over there.