Saddleworth campaigners gather for a 'Breakfast for Palestine'

Organised by the Saddleworth Palestine Women's Scholarship Fund, a local charity that raises money to fund scholarships for women to go into higher education in Palestine, the event began with a minute's silence to remember all those who have been killed, injured, and displaced in the region since October 7. 

Committee Member  Maggige Magner said fund organisers in the UK have had no official contact with the organising group in Gaza but believe three students have been killed and they were still waiting anxiously for news of others. 

She stressed that the event was a more solemn occasion than previous fund-raisers and explained why they decided to go ahead.

She said: "Whilst the current situation means the scholarship fund is unable to function on the ground in Gaza, our fund-raising efforts continue today in support of all our students in both Gaza in the West Bank, their education and in the hope they can rebuild their lives in Gaza in the future."

More than £1,250 was collected from supporters on the day for the Scholarship Fund. Due to the current crisis in Gaza attendees were also offered the opportunity to donate separately to the Middle East Children’s Alliance Emergency Appeal.  

Fellow committee member Sue Piper gave a talk recounting her trip to Gaza just four months ago and comparing the difficult conditions she found then with the devastation today.

She provided shocking images of the town she had visited in the North of Gaza compared with what she had seen in July.

She said: "I saw first-hand the hidden pain in everyone that they were suffering in July from the siege and occupation. Heaven knows how they are suffering now.'

She went on to read messages from one of the Scholarship student’s who she met in July. The student described the terror of the bombardment, her hopes for peace and her gratitude for all the fundraising that the committee and its supporters do on behalf of the students. Sue then revealed she had heard nothing from her for more than ten days. 

Despite the suffering, the committee members were at pains to express the resilience and strength of the young women they support. To this end, Michele Abendstern introduced a short film, Raising Their Voice, about a female Rap Group, formed by one of the scholarship students and her friends in the West Bank.

She then read a message from a student regarding the worsening situation in the West Bank in which she described how "Violence is increasing... and the occupation is arresting a large number of young people."

Committee chairwoman, Catherine Holland, delivered a report explaining the fund paid for 62 students last year, 55 in Gaza and seven on the West Bank.