Michael Brennan is undertaking a 72 hour fast at Bridge Place in Bandon to raise funds for charity, Gaza Go Bragh, staring from today at 4pm until Sunday November 2nd.

Frustrated by the lack of action in bringing meaningful peace to Palestine, the Bandon mandecided to turn empathy into action.

'I decided to do a 72 hour fast, because like so many ordinary people, I just can’t turn a blind eye anymore. When I see emaciated children, being manhandled as if they don’t matter I had to do something, and decided to fast with the aim of understanding what they are going through. I have the goal of raising 10k, which I am already well on the way to achieving, with €2,570 already pledged,' said Michael.

Michael, who retired last year, recently raised €700 from his apple harvest for Gaza Go Bragh. He was so encouraged at the positivity and support he got from passers-by who stopped to buy apples. People who stopped were so in sympathy with the people of Gaza, it inspired him to take matters a step further by doing the fast.

He will camp for the duration of the fast on Bridge Place on South Main Street, Bandon from 4pm on Thursday October 30th until 4pm on Sunday November 2nd. He is inviting people to come, chat and share information – and to donate. He will not eat throughout the 72 hours, and for liquids will be limited to water and black tea.

Anything involving Michael, won’t be an entirely sombre affair. He is part of a weekly vigil which has met in the town every Sunday, for the past two years.

Local musicians will join him for a session from 3pm to  5pm on Saturday November 1st including The Blackbirds; Aine O’Gorman; Mandy Bodenstien; The Smoking Kippers; Crooked Jack; the Corner House Crew; The Waterfall Two, and Martin Leahy.

'A 72 hours fast isn’t much compared to what Gaza civilians are suffering, even during a supposed ceasefire. This is my way of showing solidarity. I believe we have always had a strong sense of social justice in this country, and also I wanted to be able to say, we are not powerless.'

for more details see Donate: https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/michaelbrennan1