The parents, whose kids attend a local primary school, say they felt ‘despondent and horrified’ by the situation for children in Gaza and felt they had to do something productive about it, reports Marco Marcelline
A group of Walthamstow parents who organised a bake sale managed to raise over £8,000 for Save the Children’s emergency Gaza appeal.
The bake sale was held on Wednesday 10th July outside Mini Hiba, a Palestinian-Lebanese restaurant on Wood Street.
Alongside baked contributions from the community, local businesses such as Chaiiwala, Le Délice, Wood Street Bakery, Rebel Coffee, and Goodness Cakes all donated a range of treats including red velvet cupcakes, vegan banana bread, and chocolate lemon tarts.
The parents, whose kids attend a local primary school, say they felt “despondent and horrified” by the situation for children in Gaza and felt they had to do something productive about it.
One of the parents, Laura Walker, told the Echo that the bake sale “far surpassed expectations”. The fundraising goal was initially £1,500 but this was quickly overcome and, as of 17th July, online donations total £3,977. Cash, card and match giving donations now total £8,316, Laura says.
Despite expressing some disappointment that her children’s school had declined to promote the event, Laura emphasised the community’s support, saying: “They really came out in such a lovely and positive way, donating and buying and it wouldn’t have been such a success without them.”
She added: “Although [what we’ve raised is] just a drop in the vast ocean of need for Gaza, we wanted to turn our anger, upset and distress into some actual, positive, community action.”
The United Nations (UN) estimates that 40% of casualties in Gaza are children, and approximately 4,000 children are believed to be buried under the rubble in Gaza.
According to the latest figures from Save the Children, at least 26,000 children in Gaza have either been killed or injured since Israel began its military operation in the besieged territory following the 7th October attacks by Hamas.
Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, 113 children have been killed since 7th October. In those attacks Hamas killed at least 695 Israeli civilians, of whom 36 were children.
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