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.