www.vivapalestina.org 23 august 2010 One month to go before Viva Palestina 5 leaves for Gaza With only a month to go before the Viva Palestina Global Lifeline To Gaza sets off from London, individuals and teams from across the world are busy fundraising and preparing for their journey to the besieged region of Gaza. They will depart London on September 18th and travel through Europe and the Middle East, arriving in Gaza in early October. They will meet up with 2 other convoys that will depart from Doha and from Morocco, and together, will form the largest convoy to date to enter Gaza with aid.   Last Saturday night in Tipperary, Ireland, legendary singer Shane McGowan from the world famous group "The Pogues" turned up at a fundraiser and treated the packed audience to 8 songs. Shane had the crowd dancing non stop as he sang a few Pogues classics and a few Thin Lizzy covers. Shane was supporting the galant efforts of the "Tipp2Gaza" team who are joining the convoy. Speaking on the night, Shane said: "It is an honour to support not only Joe and Jim who are taking part, but to support the Palestinians at this critical time."   In New Zealand, a major fundraising effort is under way by the amazing "Kia Ora Gaza" group. Led by team captain Roger Fowler, a group of 6 people will travel to London and drive 3 vehicles loaded with aid to Gaza. Speaking to the press, Roger outlined their objectivies for taking part. "Kia Ora Gaza is on a peaceful humanitarian mission. We are fund-raising to deliver aid to people in Gaza. They are suffering under an Israeli siege which has been condemned by the United Nations, International Red Cross and most other world bodies."   As part of their fundraising efforts, KLARC, one of New Zealand's best graphic artists, who also sketched Kia Ora Gaza's famous truck logo, has signed his original print and has donated it to the team for auction. Already there has been considerable interest and bidding, and will no doubt reach a high price before the auction closes. For more information, check out their web site at www.kiaoragaza.net <http://www.kiaoragaza.net/>   Across the UK, there are many teams busy fundraising and collecting medical, educational, building and farming supplies. Many of these items are banned from entering Gaza, and it is vital that these get through to the stricken region. Travelling on his 3rd convoy to Gaza, Tom Baker, the team leader from the "Slough To Gaza" group said, "Having travelled on 2 previous Viva Palestina convoys, I have seen 1st hand the conditions that the Palestinians in Gaza have to live through on a daily basis. To me it is way beyond belief that the world has allowed the population in Gaza to remain locked up for nearly 4 years now. The time has now come to say enough is enough, and by going back to Gaza once more, I hope to play my part in not only breaking the siege, but ending the siege once and for all."   Viva Palestina is a registered charity founded by George Galloway following the attacks on Gaza 18 months ago. George has led 3 convoys of aid into Gaza, the most recent one in January of this year. To date, over 1,000  people in 450 vehicles loaded with aid have successfully broken the siege on Gaza, and delivered millions of pounds worth of aid.   There are still many ways in which people can help out on this convoy, by fundraising for aid, donating aid, contacting local and national media, distributing flyers, or helping out local volunteers from your area. For futher information, please visit our web site at www.vivapalestina.org <http://www.vivapalestina.org/>  or telephone 0044 7751 006 256.   Thanks for your continued support,   Viva Palestina TOP