People in Scarborough reminded to think of those affected by Turkey-Syria earthquake

There's a fundraising poetry event taking place tomorrow in the town

Author: Karen LiuPublished 3rd Mar 2023

It is hoped people in Scarborough are still thinking about those affected by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.

A poetry event tomorrow (Saturday 4th March) is looking to raise money and awareness as well as a chance to show solidarity and compassion.

Organiser Jayne Shipley said: "I suppose I've got some personal reasons for doing this. When I was working and living York, I used to volunteer for Refugee Action and whilst I've been in Scarborough, I've done some volunteering as well. I've met some families that would be directly impacted by the earthquake that would probably be concerned about families that are still living in Syria on the border with Turkey.

"When I'm thinking about the earthquake, I'm thinking about personal families as well so for me it's not just about the people in the news, it's about our communities that are living in Scarborough, York, Leeds and North Yorkshire. It's about raising money but it's also about showing compassion and solidarity for those families living in our communities.

"It's going to be really special so although our reasons for reading and our reasons for having this event is extremely poignant and sad, we hope that it'll be quite a joyous coming together of people and that people would find comfort in poetry as well.

"I do find that poetry is something that people often turn to when times are difficult. We hope that anybody worrying about, not necessarily what's happening in Turkey and Syria, but just have their own worries at the moment that coming together and listening to a bit of poetry can be a bit of a comfort for some people.

"I'm seeing every ticket as life so every ticket sold I'm equating that. I think £100 I read provides emergency accommodation for four families. We've already raised enough accommodation for eight families. Putting it in real terms in what that money can do is really important."

The event is tomorrow at Woodend Gallery from 1.30pm until 3pm. You can get tickets on the Eventbrite page. There is also the opportunity to pay what you can afford for a ticket too, with all proceeds going to the DEC Appeal.

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