The recent earthquakes in Nepal have caused huge devastation in the region and an outpouring of support from around the world. The Byron Bay area alone has hosted several fundraising events to the benefit of both the recipients in Nepal and the supporters here who are treated to a wealth of musical talent for just the price of their donation.
Toni Childs, award-winning singer/songwriter, was in Nepal just days before the first earthquake struck and immediately started organising a benefit concert to raise funds to rebuild Nepal, with Naren and Sono King, owners of Crystal Castle, where they will will host the concert.
Local legend Nyck Jeanes will be MC for the night, which will also include performances by Laura Targett and special guests.
Another collaborator is Byron Bay community radio station, BayFM, and manager Billy Martin, who will broadcast the benefit concert in full to the local Byron community. An hour-long version of the program will then be edited for national broadcast, featuring highlights of the event interspersed with in-depth commentary and interviews with people on the ground in Nepal.
In partnership with local NGOs and grassroots organizations, Rebuild Nepal is working to bring essential medical, food and shelter assistance to remote communities and villages affected by the disaster.
It is important to the collaborators that 100 per cent of the funds raised goes directly to the organizations and people on the ground in Nepal. According to Toni Childs, ‘We will be traveling to Nepal at our own expense to assess what is most needed and vet organizations that are doing excellent work. There is a lot of corruption and we are determined to ensure that our funds do the work intended.’
Donations from the benefit concert will also go to three organisations currently working in Nepal: Tents to Nepal is providing immediate shelter relief, Karuna-Shechen (monks from the Shechen Monastery) is giving food and medical relief and Access Nepal is providing mental health support.
Those who can’t make it to the Crystal Castle for the concert on May 30 can still join the effort online by making a donation, purchasing a raffle ticket or taking part in an online auction. For tickets and donations: http://bit.ly/Rebuild-Nepal-tickets. An online auction will be starting on May 29 at http://bit.ly/OnlineAuction4Nepal)
The event is this coming Saturday, May 30, at Crystal Castle, 81 Monet Drive, Mullumbimby, 3pm – 7pm (ticket holders can enter the Crystal Castle from 12pm). Tickets $25 donation – purchase tickets at Oztix.com.au
Bangalow benfit June 13
Residents of Bangalow and beyond are being asked to support Langtang Valley Health, an Australian charity based in Nepal since 2012.
The event will be held at Bangalow’s A&I Hall on Saturday June 13 from 6:30pm.
Bangalow fitness professional, Lisa Parkes, is organising the fundraising evening of information, traditional Indian and Nepalese food.
There will be circus performances, live music, Bollywood dancing, DJs and Echonetdaily’s ownMandy Nolan will MC.
Lisa added that there will be a live auction and Nepalese nationals will attend the event. Langtang Village is a popular trekking area that was totally wiped out in the recent earthquakes.
