Why are we holding this charity auction:
We hear so
much on the news about the Syrian crisis and it’s often hard to know how to
respond. Having talked to our friends at the charity Edinburgh Direct Aid (EDA), we believe we can do something positive
by holding an auction with friends and family to raise funds.
EDA have a
number of ongoing projects in support of Syrian refugees. Their focus since
late 2013 has been the Lebanon/Syrian border town of Arsal, where around 75,000
Syrian refugees have fled destruction and deadly conflict in order to reach
safety and a measure of security.
Arsal has
been a very difficult and risky place to work due to the close presence of
Islamic State militants and EDA has been the only western agency with British
staff actually working in the town.
So this is what we want to do…….The event is specifically to fund the
provision of education and vocational training for Syrian refugees on the
Lebanese/Syrian border town of Arsal and a large workshop for women from the
refugee camps to be able to access sewing machines, carpet weaving looms and
knitting machines and to receive expert instruction in all these skills.
EDA are
looking to raise £10,000. We think our Auction proceeds could make a very good
start for this project.
Maggie
Tookey, a volunteer for EDA will be joining us on the night to talk about what
is happening in Syria and how the funds will be put to use. Maggie has undertaken several trips to Arsal
over the past two years to deliver much needed aid.
