Local Mullumbimby residents artist and author Marie Sherd and her sister Christine Sinclair have decided they will take action and help refugees by running a fundraising garage sale this Friday and Saturday (8/9 September) at 14 Gordon Street, Mullumbimby.
Marie and Chris have been long term contributors to UNCHR and the money they raise will go to UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the event is being run with the UNHCR’s permission.
‘At the end of 2022 there were 108.4 million people forcibly displaced from their homes as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. Of these, 62.5 million are internally displaced and 35.3 million are refugees and over 10 million people are either asylum seekers or people in need of international protection,’ they told The Echo.
‘The ongoing plight of refugees particularly from some African and South American countries, and the war in Ukraine have added to the 2022 statistics and the need for aid has increased significantly. The UNHCR depends on funding from governments and private donations.
‘The organisation’s mandate is to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and to resolve the refugee problems worldwide. They provide life-saving assistance with shelter, food, water and medical care.’
Marie and Chris will have lots of things for sale from kitchen stuff, books, men and women’s clothing, shoes, jewellery, etc, etc – everything but the kitchen sink but including a twin tub washing machine!
Make sure you get along this Friday and Saturday from 8am to see what delights you can pick up.