Short Summary
My
name is Gordon Hurd aka Big Man Tyrone. I am a journalist, author and philanthropist. Since arriving in the United Kingdom
from Africa around 12 years ago, I have championed several humanitarian causes
including working with refugees and children.
The idea
for this campaign came to me when I saw the lifeless body of Aylan Kurdi, the
3-year-old Syrian boy who drowned and was washed ashore as his family tried to flee from Kobani to
Europe. I felt so much pain seeing him lying face down on the shores of the
Turkish coast and decided that I needed to do something to help those who have succeeded in making the perilous journey to
the UK.
By donating to this cause, you would help build a
refugee welcome centre in Leeds, one of the main refugee hubs of the UK. Your
donation will fund, amongst other things, IT equipment and internet access to
enable newly arrived refugees to communicate with their loved ones back home.
It would also enable them to improve their skills and find gainful
employment. We would also be able to fund an emergency food bank to feed new
arrivals and cater to the needs of their children before referring them to
mainstream Government services.
What We Need & What You Get
In order
to get the centre up and running for at least 6 months while we access
Government funding, we would require at least $50,000 (£31,000). This will
fund:
- Rents and rates for the centre
- IT and office equipment
- Internet access
-
A crèche for refugee children
-
Emergency food aid
-
Emergency clothing and bedding
- Wages for one staff
-
Volunteer expenses
We know
you just want to help and get nothing in return. However, we feel that you
deserve something to show for your generosity and we have developed a set of
perks for all our donors as a thank you gesture for your generosity.
I am
confident that we can raise the full amount for our campaign by dint of your
generous support.
If,
however, the funding target is not met, we will curtail the scope of the campaign,
acquire the premises and start seeking alternative funding for the entire
project. This project is too important to be abandoned.
The Impact
This project is very dear to my heart and will go a long way to help
refugees in need, especially those fleeing the war in Syria. The world is
watching us as this massive crisis unfolds in Europe and around the world. We
cannot be found wanting.
My Track Record
I know you would like to find out what credentials I have to run this
campaign. I have a 10-year track record working with refugees and disadvantaged
communities. Here are examples of some of my philanthropic work:
- In 2004 I raised
nearly $200,000 and set up a refugee centre in Liverpool called the Love
Asylum Seekers and Refugees Project (LOVAR). It brought together newly
arrived migrants and local people in an IT suite and helped foster a sense
of community. 600 refugees benefited from the project which the Community
Foundation for Merseyside included in its annual report as an example of
good practice.
- In late 2004, I was
assigned by the Refugees, Asylum Seeker and the Media (RAM) project to
Antananarivo as part of a UNICEF campaign to train journalists on the
Ethics of Child Reporting.
- In 2005, I raised
$15,000 and launched a campaign in schools around Merseyside in the UK to
raise awareness of refugees and discuss racism. 300 pupils personally
designed posters and sent to our project expressing their support for
asylum seekers and refugees.The campaign was reported in the Liverpool
Echo.
http://bit.ly/refugee-support-echo
http://bit.ly/refugee-support
- In 2007, I
organised the first ever Annual Refugee Awards on Merseyside, and brought
together 84 organisations and 600 guests from all segments of the
community. I received an award from Merseyside Police for my “outstanding
contribution to the local community”.
- In the same year, I
published the UK’s first refugee magazine titled HAVEN, to highlight the
issues faced by asylum seekers and refugees and provide a directory of
services for their use.
- In 2008 I was
appointed Area Manager of Refugee Action in Leeds.
- I am a diligent
Manager, use funds judiciously and have a track record for transparency.
The Leeds Refugee Welcome and Support Project will be registered as a
Company Limited by Guarantee and all accounts will be available at
Companies House UK.
Risks & Challenges
I realise
that pulling off this campaign is fraught with challenges. Not all may see
the importance of what we are trying to achieve. Conversely, I know there is a
lot of good will out there and that people want to do good. The outpouring of
support by the British public reassures me that we can achieve our goals.
I have
outlined my track record earlier on and I believe I have the experience and
skills to make this project successful.
Sustainability
of the project is a key factor and I have put a plan in place to access
available funding from funding bodies to continue the work.
Other Ways You Can Help
We
realise that not everyone can contribute financially to the cause. However, there is a lot
you can do to help.You can donate clothes and food to help sustain
arriving refugees. You can help spread the word about our campaign.
Please be sure to
use our Indiegogo share tools.
- Copy
the campaign URL and paste it into an email or social media update
- Click
on the Facebook, Google Plus or Twitter icons to share through your social
media networks
- Add
a widget to your blog or personal website. Click Embed and then copy and
paste the widget code.
- Send
a direct email from Indiegogo.
We so
look forward to your support so that we can give hope to refugees and help them
live in dignity.