Why Hope and Social are raising money for “Refugees Start” this Christmas

Boat1Like everyone (I’m sure), I have been deeply moved by the footage, the image, and the sheer weight of numbers of people so in fear of what may happen to them and their families that they feel compelled to uproot. I can’t begin to imagine what it’s like to live in a place where the safest option is to train, boat and walk hundreds and hundreds of miles to make my family safer. I’ve felt grateful that I can live in relative freedom (Snoopers Charter aside). Free to express my views, free to work, to travel, to eat. I’ve felt guilty that I’ve prioritised my family, and my security as I’ve watched friends of mine in admiration, who have themselves uprooted from their lives in Leeds to travel to Calais, to Dunkirk, and to Lesvos to help people. They’ve been pulling people out of the waves, providing warmth, shelter, and clothing to people who are very much in need, while I’ve been working my cushy arty job in the security that when I arrive home, my home will be there and my family will be safe inside.

Now, they say charity begins at home, but it shouldn’t end there. So this year, at Hope and Social’s Christmas event, The Fairytale of New Yorkshire, we’re raising money for Refugees Start, a Leeds based refugee charity, run by people I know well, and trust.

I’ve known Trace Myers and Wendy Myers for years. They’re good, giving people, and Jenni James (Trace’s partner who incidentally, our border control peep seem keen to keep out of the UK, despite the fact she’s worth ten of me… but that’s another story) for a shorter time. I wanted to get them to tell us a bit about what it’s like where they are.

If you still need to turn your empathy gland on, Have a read what Trace’s day was like on Wednesday the 28th October, or take a journey care of Channel 4’s Two Billion Miles.

As well as what we raise at The Fairytale of New Yorkshire on Friday, we’re also donating all profits from our online music sales this week to Refugees Start. All our orginal music is Pay What You Want here, and as we think we’re now there or thereabouts with sorting out match funding, that means that for every pound you spend, two pounds goes to help these people so urgently in need.

So with that, I’ll hand you over to our Trace.
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Millions of people are being displaced by war from places they once called home. Millions have sought refuge in countries neighboring Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan and Iran, but thousands are looking to Europe for help every day. The numbers in terms of individuals in crisis are huge, but in terms of Europe’s population, welcoming all of these neighbours in need would simply be a drop in the ocean.

I’m volunteering to support refugees in a Greek town called Molyvos – a tiny and beautiful town of 200 houses with around 1000 inhabitants. The 13km stretch of coast near this town has become the coastline where most refugees take their first nervous and hopeful steps into Europe – first steps that follow a long and unimaginable journey, a death defying sea crossing and first steps that occur because there is no safe route for them to seek asylum in Europe.

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Every day we meet beautiful people who are fleeing war, or fleeing being forced take up arms – we meet people whose families have been killed or tortured or tortured and killed. We meet peaceful people who once had lives – people like you and me, electricians, doctors, students, carpenters, teachers, grandmas and grandads – and we meet so many little people who have known nothing but fear, violence and destruction and so many pregnant women carrying the next generation. Many of them reach us with nothing as their most treasured possessions have been thrown in the sea in a desperate attempt to reduce the weight of heavily overloaded boats.

The local people here in Molyvos have been changed forever – the local fisherman no longer refer to fish when they talk about their “catch of the day”, wood-crafters and restaurateurs have become the frontline in responding to the human need that spills out 24 hours a day. Without any help for the Greek Infrastructure (medicine, roads, administration), and without a penny of European funding for the delivery of aid, a coalition of tourists, volunteers and local people continue to “people power” the response to the ever increasing humanitarian need and it is our massive privilege to do so.

If our friends were violently assaulted or scared we would wrap our arms around them and do everything we could to offer them sanctuary – that’s what people did for me when I was mugged and scared. We want to offer the same human support to our new friends. However, the resources are so few. the volunteers here are left with drawing on their own financial, physical, creative and emotional resources to offer each individual the best, most safe, supported, respectful welcome to Europe possible. We have been fixing broken knees with oars, making baby carriers out of lifejackets, we have been learning how to support people arriving on boats so they don’t crash and sink, learning to use binoculars, to dig trenches, learning how to perform CPR, support people who have lost family members at sea, and to look after each other and our new friends as the death toll increases.

In the 9 weeks I have been here there have been big changes.

The weather has got worse and the risks are higher

Ever more dangerous boats are being sold as a safer option to refugees

Political talks and resolutions have had a direct impact on making the journeys for refugees more dangerous – e.g. more people now have to travel in the dark, people are trapped destitute at borders

People no longer have to walk the 75km mountainous trek in the baking sun to get their papers (we can now support safe free travel)

People no longer have to defecate in the street

People can now find some safe shelter, some free food, and some information to help them make choices and understand their situation.

People can have a chance to encounter support without being exploited in return.

Many many beautiful people have come out to help and have made a real difference in saving lives, supporting people, building infrastructure and sharing hugs and humanity

Many people across the globe have started sending aid and challenging their governments to do more. They have also started taking action at home to ensure anyone whose journey ends in their town can receive a warm welcome into their community.

The teams here have been working around the clock to offer food, clothes, shelter, transport, medical aid and humanity in different areas around the town an island.

Many people who arrive will tell us that we are the first people on their long journey to be kind to them and sadly we receive many messages from those we have met to say that this was the first and last human kindness they encountered.

I was not built for this – I can swim for sure, and I can be nice to people, but I spend lots of my days wondering how I know so much about Indie music and so little about building toilets. Working at festivals has given me some skills to set up the tents, work with crowds and to be creative with the things I have.

Here are some of the things I have learned:

The people coming through here really are a gift to any community they arrive in. I can tell you so many tales. They ARE a gift.

A pair of dry socks can be more important than a Bruce Springsteen album

People can make a lasting difference in the time it takes to listen to one song.

Clowns and guitars are needed on a refugee camp

A random sledgehammer that happened to be in the boot can save hundreds of lives

We are all one step away from needing help

Men from other countries have smaller waistlines than the men in England (even those hipster types)

You can make an epic baby cradle out of a fruit basket and ropes

The bottom of boats make great picnic tables and lifejackets make good cushions

A pair of shoes that have walked a thousand miles can still be a gift to feet that have walked a thousand miles

Just because there is an aid agency logo on a tent does not mean that that aid agency meets the needs of people in the tents.

It is possible to cross the world without transport and without legs if you have friends

A night-club car park can be a lovely place to hang out

the hug of an old woman who has been rescued from the sea is the most intimate, most moving, and most powerful hug you will ever receive. You are connected forever without knowing a name

We need to act together to reject this. It is not acceptable for people who are escaping violence to be met with walls which trap them in further violence

People will take power and find a way.

So please help us. We know that Hope and Sociallers are excellent at coming together to make beautiful things happen. At the Fairytale of New Yorkshire, You and H&S will be raising money that will go towards the stuff we really need here one the ground. Here’s a shopping list of the kind of things that we need here, things we know make a massive difference. We’re also looking to build a solar powered, mobile, weatherproof, small (and attractive!) listening booth for the kids’ tent so they can hear music that reminds them of home. (Doesn’t feel like a big ask for a team that can make a band out of strangers and gig a million times in a day)

What we need:

– socks all ages

– tracksuits (all ages over 8)

– sports shoes (38-44)

– comfy knickers and pants for men kids and women (more s/m sizes needed.)

– woolen hats

– gloves

– did we say socks?

– leggings (thermal / cotton – mainly s/m some maternity)

– sleeping bags

– torches with batteries

– playing cards (optional loveliness)

– tiny tiny toys (optional loveliness)

– small packets of felt tips / pencils. Tiny ones (optional loveliness)

– anything thermal

– socks

– fleece lined emergency blankets

– Glucose lollipops

Love and sincerest thanks,

Trace

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So… that’s why our charity for our Christmas bash this year is Refugees Start. We look forward to seeing y’all on Friday. So please, bring your full pockets, and dig deep, and if you can’t make it… get to music.hopeandsocial.com and buy our music… All profits this week to charidee mate!

Thanks.
Rich