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The Irish Sun

‘I'm horrified', says Nicola Coughlan as she shares poignant message to fans after raising over €500k for Gaza charity

DERRY Girls star Nicola Coughlan has pledged £10,000 of her own money to Gaza aid charities while also managing to raise an additional €500,000. The popular actress has been vocal about the conflict in the Middle East since it erupted in October 2023. Advertisement 2 Nicola Coughlan has raised over €500k for a Gaza aid charity Credit: Getty Images 2 She took to her Instagram to express her horror at the scenes in Gaza Over the weekend the Bridgerton star took to her Instagram to directly call on politicians to take further action against Israel. In a video on her Instagram she said: "I, like many of you, am completely horrified by the images coming out of Gaza, watching innocent children being starved to death, and people being starved to death. 'The government here in the UK, Keir Starmer, is doing nothing about it, ignoring it, acting like it's not happening. "There's just a level of inhumanity in this situation which I have never witnessed the like in my life. Advertisement read more on Nicola Coughlan 'I will get the ball rolling, and I will match donations to Medical Aid for Palestinians for up to £10,000." She continued: "So, please donate and share because I've never witnessed anything more horrific in my life. "As an Irish person, I grew up learning about the occupation of my own country… Killing of innocent people is never right.' The Galway woman has now helped Medical Aid for Palestine raise over €500,000 – at the time of publishing they have collectively raised €544,172. Advertisement Most read in News TV Nicola's fundraiser has been supported by dozens of her celebrity friends including; Jameela Jamill, Susan Sarandon, Emma D'Arcy and Luke Newton. This isn't the star's first time dabbling in charitable causes as across two previous collections she raised €70,000 and €1.7million respectively with proceeds going to Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF), ActionAid UK, and Medical Aid For Palestine. RTE star slams Nicola Coughlan Ahead of one of her fundraisers last year, Nicola opened up on why it is so important for her and other public figures to speak up about Gaza. She told Stellar: "Obviously I'm Irish and we have such a connection with Palestine and always have. Advertisement "I can remember Palestinian flags waving up and down Shop Street when I was in university. There's such a connection there 'I think in terms of US politicians, they have brought the peace process here. " She added: "A lot of people look to Joe Biden going, you're very proud of your Irish roots so it'd be great if you could use that and apply it to the same situation that would help people who are in need. 'There's so many eyes on me right now and some may say who cares what an actress thinks and I say yeah you're right, but hopefully I can raise money for people in need.' Advertisement