Refugee Week 2012 marked a significant step for Scottish Refugee Council – it was the first time we’ve incorporated fundraising as a core part of our annual arts celebration.
With anything new, going forward, there are always areas to develop and improve. However, we have been bowled over by your response.
To date we’ve raised over £5000 through our Appeal – and money is still coming in. I’m reminded that ‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’.
Reaching out and gaining support
Supporters like you got behind our Appeal in a variety of ways. A few examples include:
Membership
As part of the fundraising team, together with Eileen and Kirsty, we contacted specific organisations that had a natural connection to our work. As a result several Housing Associations opted to support our work by becoming a member of Scottish Refugee Council. Members not only support us financially, but carry out a lot of unseen work raising the profile of refugee issues in Scotland. Interested? Find out more about becoming a member.
Fundraising
Katy Smith wants to make a difference. She has several asylum seeking and refugee friends who in her words “have endured a great deal of suffering and hardship – both in their native countries and during their journey to the U.K. The trauma, however, has been lessened somewhat by the advice and care readily available at Scottish Refugee Council and has given their lives, some clarity and direction.”
We are thrilled that on 4 August Katy is running an ultra marathon to raise money for us. She’ll run The Devil O’ the Highlands, a 43 mile footrace from Tyndrum to Fort William on 4 August. Impressive? Yes! And there’s still time for you to donate to support Katy’s challenge.
Social Media
You may remember that last year we tried out memes during our Protection Appeal. These visual online posters are ideal for sharing on social media, such as Facebook and Twitter – and can be useful in raising awareness, generating interest and even donations.
We now know that our supporters have a good sense of humour and responded well to our cheeky Daily Mail meme.
It certainly got your attention and gained support; our Facebook friends passed it on 221 times – reaching 1375 people in total – our most popular post ever. It also got 63 ‘likes’ on Facebook and raised about £130 for our Appeal via our text donations.
Events
British Red Cross and Scottish Refugee Council co-organised a Refugee Week Opening Concert – and ticket sales and a small collection helped to top up our Appeal.
We also organised a Roller Disco, our first ever dedicated fundraising event. And we have to give a special thanks to The Scottish Guardianship Service Pilot, Glasgow Housing Association and The Tron who put their best roller-boot forward and had a brilliant work’s night out at our event. Great to see them roll into action and support our Appeal.
Thank you
A huge thanks to all of you who donated, bought tickets to fundraising events, kicked off your own fantastic fundraising challenge – and were a part of Refugee Week Scotland 2012.
Whether you attended an event, donated or fundraised for our Appeal, or even helped raise awareness by telling a friend or family about our work – it all helps to make Refugee Week Scotland and our campaign a success. And we couldn’t do it without your continued support.
