A church in Walthamstow is hosting a fundraising event to help provide medical aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

Canon Steven Saxby of Saint Barnabas Church in St Barnabas Road, Walthamstow, has organised the 'Gather for Gaza' event in conjunction with Palestinian Aser El Saqqa from Walthamstow. 

Mr El Saqqa is the founder of Arts Canteen, an organization highlighting Arab artwork in the UK.

In the 1990s, he worked for the Palestinian Ministry of Culture before moving to London as a business analyst.

Their aim is to raise £5,000 for Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), a charity with offices in Gaza City and helping to deliver health and medical care to those worst affected by conflict, occupation and displacement.

Entrance to the event requires a £10 minimum donation or through Mr El Saqqa's JustGiving page here

Already £800 has been raised through 22 online donations which is enough to pay for hygiene kits containing soap, bandages and antiseptic cream.  

Canon Saxby, said: "We are honoured to be co-hosting this event at our church.

"The medical infrastructure of Gaza is in chaos and the suffering there is immense.

"I hope we will raise vital funds at this event to help aid the plight of innocent Palestinian civilians affected by the current crisis."

The music, poetry and spoken-word event will feature a stall by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and freshly prepared food by The Orange Couch.  

It will take place on Saturday from 6pm to 9pm at the St Barnabas Road church.