Hands Up Foundation aims to raise GBP90,000 in 90 minutes

The Hands Up Foundation has announced a night of music and readings at Cadogan Hall, London (June 12), to raise GBP90,000 (€104,859) in 90 minutes for victims of the conflict in Syria.

The charity runs several fundraising initiatives including Syrian Supper Club, Singing for Syrians and MarmalAid. The money raised will fund practical aid projects in and around Syria including paying doctors’ salaries at a primary health clinic in rural Aleppo, teaching over 300 children in Bekaa refugee camp, Lebanon, and supporting a prosthetic limb project on the Syrian Turkish border.

Iain Burnside, curator of the event, said: “Music for Syria is a response to the very great need of those affected by Syria’s conflict, now over eight years long. We’ve invited luminary musicians, actors and poets to perform to an audience of 800 people. All of them are generously giving their time and skill for 90 minutes of unique entertainment.”

The evening will play host to musicians and performers including BBC3 presenter Petroc Trelawny, pianists Mitsuko Uchida and Riyad Nicolas, baritone Simon Keenlyside and award-winning soprano Rowan Pierce alongside The Heath Quartet. 14-year-old Syrian refugee Amineh Abou Kerech, who won the Betjeman Poetry award in 2017, will also give a reading.

There will be an online auction ahead of the event.

handsupfoundation.org