Fundraising Event Report

Our Fundraising Evening on Wednesday 17th March raised just over £1500 (we’re still waiting for final expenses to come in and will update the total as soon as we know it). Michele & Corinne, our organisers, did a fantastic job of making sure the evening ran smoothly and had recruited a wonderful bunch of volunteers who helped with setting-up, selling merchandise, serving the drinks, and general running around.

Frances Fox, Chair of Art Refuge UK, gave a short welcome speech, followed by a presentation of the work of Art Refuge UK, and an appeal for funds for the new classroom equipment. Then she welcomed Allison Woessner to the stage, our fabulous auctioneer who offered her services for the evening. Allison is the Managing Director of Auction Atrium, a London-based online auction house.

As we had rather a large number of lots, we divided them up in to a ‘silent auction’ and the ‘live’ one. While the quality of the artwork impressed a number of discerning artists and collectors in the audience, the bidding was made easier by Alison’s fantastic skill in whipping up the audience into digging deeper into their pockets. Alison was assisted on stage by Colin, a wonderfully theatrical man who added an element of fun to the proceedings, and backstage by Kate, who sorted out the payments.

The venue, Amnesty International’s Human Rights Action Centre, was brilliant for this event as it had plenty of space in which to display the artwork, as well as to have a separate children’s room where several prayer flags were painted and artworks created. And we had plenty of space for our merchandise, drinks, nibbles, and fresh momos. To see a few images, click here.

So where now? We currently have the following urgent funding needs over and above our usual staffing and essential costs: in addition to a final £1000.00 for the classroom, we are now embarking on our next imperative project of getting a paid UK-based worker in post. So please keep the donations coming in, and spreading the word. We also have a few of the images left, which will soon be up on our website for sale, so please watch this space.

But for now, congratulations to all involved in the auction event and a huge thank you to all the volunteers and to those who attended and who placed bids.