Authors for Refugees

Liz Brownlee ♦ September 26, 2016 ♦ Leave a comment

I’m taking a break from National Poetry Day to let you know about this exciting event:

Fiona Dunbar, author of excellent middle grade books, has masterminded and organised an event called Authors for Refugees.

Information from that page:

“This is an online auction to provide urgent aid to refugees held in camps around Europe, and to unaccompanied minors with a legal right to come to the UK.”

And what is being auctioned? Well, truly magnificent offerings of all types from a fabulous mix of authors who write for young people.

If you are a fan, there are treasures such as signed books, memorabilia, artwork, meetings for tea and a chat…

I have my own signed book available.

If you are an author or would-be author for young people, there are manuscript appraisals, meetings, advice etc… things that CANNOT BE BOUGHT, except, yes, they can!

And not only can you bid for all the above for very reasonable prices, there is also – this! A really unique opportunity!

Picnic lunch with author Philip Ardagh, while GRUFFALO artist Axel Scheffler draws for you, and Dottie Hendrix (or another of Philip’s minions) pelts you with stale buns…*plus* 4 signed GRUNTS books.

I don’t think I need tell you how unlikely you are to receive this sort of offer again!

Do you have a birthday coming up? Stuck for a Christmas present for that ‘hard to buy for person who has everything’? This is a GIFT!!!

A young Syrian boy in The Jungle.

And you will be doing good at the same time – the following is taken from the website:

“There are currently around 88,000 unaccompanied children in refugee camps in Europe; Interpol reports that 10,000 have gone missing in the past year. This report highlights just how desperate the situation has become: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/aug/02/child-refugees-calais-failed-by-britain.

Funds raised by this auction will go directly to these charities:

HELP REFUGEES http://www.helprefugees.org.uk
Assisting refugees in camps throughout Europe such as Calais, Dunkirk, and 22 camps across Greece.

SAFE PASSAGE http://safepassage.org.uk
Unites unaccompanied children in Calais with their family members in the UK. Also provides them with much-needed support once they arrive. So far the scheme has helped 55 youngsters in this way, rescuing them from traffickers, and the dangers, sometimes fatal, of going it alone.

ISLINGTON REFUGEE CENTRE http://www.islingtoncentre.co.uk
Here, refugees are offered counselling and legal advice, English lessons, hot meals, classes and activities. More than that, it provides a community for those who would otherwise be isolated. Funded entirely from voluntary donations, it is currently only able to open two days a week.”

So, do go and have a look! Many bargains to be had!