JNF UK Green Sunday: ‘We’ll help as long as they need’
More than 40 volunteers make thousands of calls as Jewish charity looks to raise £1 million to support southern Israeli communities
More than 6,000 calls are being made for JNF UK’s annual fundraising drive to support vulnerable Israeli communities on the Gaza border.
40 volunteers aged 15 to 82 took part in the Jewish charity’s annual Green Sunday initiative, which hopes to collect £1 million from its supporters in a month-long campaign.
In 2018 alone, more than a thousand rockets and mortars were fired from Hamas-controlled Gaza, causing trauma for Israeli communities who live under “constant threat of terror”. Residents of nearby towns are forced to run for cover when sirens warn of incoming attacks, often with as little as 15 seconds to find cover, while houses and schools have to double-up as bomb shelters.
The funds will go towards parks, playgrounds and respite facilities, as well as community centres and leadership programmes, were raised through a telethon on Sunday – and volunteers will continue ringing supporters to ask for funds throughout the following week, and up until mid-March.
Yonatan Galon, CEO of JNF UK commented that the Green Sunday initiative, which has been running for more than thirty years, operates “thanks to the generosity of our loyal supporters”.
“Over the last 10 years JNF UK has invested over £5m to projects supporting communities living near the Gaza border. For as long as these communities need support, JNF UK will be there. This Green Sunday we are calling on the UK Jewish community to stand in solidarity with our brothers who are living under the constant threat of terror.”
- Read more: JNF UK Green Sunday: Modern pioneers working on the front line
- The fundraising drive will continue until mid-March and lines are open for donations on 0800 901 333 or online at jnf.co.uk/greensunday.
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