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REFUGEES
Author: Brian Bilson
Illustrator: José Sanabria
Refugee is a powerful word. One that conjures opposing emotions. For some it provokes feelings of fear and hate, for others the need for compassion, understanding, and empathy.
In this celebrated poem, "Refugees," Brian Bilston tells both sides of the story by cleverly crafting a verse that can be read backward and forward to convey two opposing views.
Brian Bilston is often described as the "Poet Laureate of Twitter" (now X) and this much admired poem, perfectly accompanied by artwork from illustrator, Jose Sanabria, is a wonderful way to explore this emotive issue as you realize that it's not just the words that have been reversed!
Author: Brian Bilston
Brian Bilston is a secretive figure. His true identity is hidden in a cloud of pipe smoke from his supposed author photograph. From fragments of information pulled together from various social media feeds, we know he likes cycling, Vimto and dislikes Jeremy Clarkson. He is a published writer in anthologies. This is his first picture book.
Illustrator: José Sanabria
José Sanabria is a Colombian illustrator based in Argentina. He studied graphic design in Bogotá and illustration in Buenos Aires. His works have been exhibited at the Biennale of Bratislava, at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and in other collective exhibitions in Argentina, Italy, Germany, and Poland.
You can order your copy of 'Refugees' for £8.99 from the online shop of our partner Empathy Action.
All proceeds benefit Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees
Just go to www.empathyaction.org/empathystore
Cheque
Please make your cheque payable to Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees and post it to:
GIFT AID
If paying by cheque, standing order or bank transfer please download and complete this Gift Aid form , and return it to us at the address below. Donating through Gift Aid means that we can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you any extra. Thank you.
Registered Charity Number: 1184120
Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees makes grants to refugee families now in the area to assist in their long-term resettlement and improve their quality of life. From warm clothes and children’s swimming lessons, to laptops and professional accountancy exams, these small grants are helping all the families thrive in a new country. We also make grants to help incentivise private sector landlords to rent their properties to refugees. With a growing number of refugees in our area, our need for donations is greater than ever.
We forecast that we will have spent well over £50,000 on refugee support in this financial year - this could not happen without your generous support.
Recent expenditure by Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees to help support refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine now in our area includes: suitcases for a family trying to escape from Kharkiv, gymnastics classes for children, taxi costs to get to medical appointments, a lawnmower, school uniforms, a printer, air fryer, shoe rack, tennis lessons for children, CCTV, car road tax, flights and starter food shopping for people arriving from Ukraine. Some of the expenditure makes up for deficiencies in the equipment in houses provided, providing safety and security measures, helping with medical issues, school holiday activities to help children integrate, assisting Ukrainians to get here and survive until their benefits start.
We really are very appreciative of every donation, large and small, and we ensure that the money is put to good use in support of refugees as they resettle and build new lives in our area.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS!
We are enormously grateful for all the donations - of time, money and gifted items - that we receive from individuals and organisations. Your kindness and generosity enables SWR to help support the refugees that are resettling in our area. Enormous thanks to all our sponsors!
easyfundraising
Did you know that whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees with easyfundraising?
There are over 7,000 brands on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds.
All you need to do is:
1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/sevenoaks-welcomes-refugees/?utm_campaign=raise-more and join for free.
2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping.
3. If you shop from your phone, install the easyfundraising app and remember to always start shopping from there.
4. After you’ve checked out, the brand will make a donation to Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees at no extra cost to you whatsoever!
There are no catches or hidden charges and Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees will be really grateful for your donations.
Thank you for your support!
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