Music / Bristol gigs
Gig fundraising to send Gaza sisters to university
An upcoming gig featuring six of Bristol’s alt-folk acts and a photography exhibition is fundraising to support three sisters from Gaza to take up their places at Glasgow university.
The trio have all received offers from the institution to study masters courses from September 2026 but will be unable to attend without financial support.
Proceeds from the Gig for Gaza at St Paul’s Church in Clifton will help Hadeel, a nurse with a degree in nursing science, English teacher Heba and primary school teacher Malak to evacuate from Gaza and establish themselves in Glasgow.
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The gig has been organised by musician Ryan McMurtry in collaboration with Kimberley Pearson, founder of the Mental Health Workers UK 4 Palestine collective.
Pearson has been fundraising for the family since 2024, raising £15,000 through gigs, art shows and a sponsored 75 mile walk across Scotland.
Her fundraising target of £105,000 will cover the evacuation as well as tuition fees, living and accommodation costs for the trio.
“The world is an incredibly difficult place for so many reasons at the moment, and often we can feel utterly helpless and powerless. However, this is a real opportunity to make a difference,” she said.
“I wholeheartedly believe that we can get the three sisters to take up their masters at Glasgow University. They are highly educated, talented women committed to education, equality, and building a better future for their community.”
Kimberley walked 75 miles across Scotland to Glasgow University with her dog Flint to raise money that will go towards her £105,000 target to set the three sisters up in Glasgow – photo: Kimberley Pearson
Green Man Rising winners Eve Appleton Band will headline the night with their upbeat Americana-tinged 60s revival-esque sound, with banjo picker Dan Pacini and hypnagogic alt-folk soloist Eva Penney in support.
Eclectic nature-inspired songwriter Zoe Myrna, dreamy melancholic vocalist Hannah Wood and new soft-psych folk-pop five-piece Claudine – who already count Big Jeff as a fan – complete the bill.
“I got involved because I was so inspired by Kimberley, who has done a truly amazing amount to help the sisters,” said McMurtry, singer and guitarist in the band. “They have this precious chance of a new, safe start in life, and you can help make it a reality just by being at this gig. I think that’s really powerful.”
The event will also feature an exhibition of Palestine and Protest photography by Alex Wolfe-Warman, former Urban Landscape Photographer of the Year who curated and hosted a Protest and Palestine Symposium at the Martin Parr Foundation in January 2025, with Martin Parr, Ghazala Mansoor, Dr Lawrence Hoo, Sue Luger and Petra Mansour.
Synth-led outfit Claudine’s music, they say, will interest fans of Wilco, Cate le Bon and Drugdealer – photo: Claudine
The Gig for Gaza takes place at St Paul’s Church in Clifton on June 11.
Find more information and tickets at headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/st-paul-s-clifton/thu-11-jun-gig-for-gaza-151712#e151712
Main image: Eve Appleton Band
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