Benidorm united
A FUNDRAISER at Jokers Benidorm last Sunday afternoon to help the people of Ukraine raised an incredible €9,230– a staggering sum and even more so knowing that it was all arranged in just five days!
Not only was this vast sum collected – which included an extremely generous €1,000 from Gary Burr of Giving4Giving and a further €500 from Help International Benidorm, but thanks to the generosity of so many, a large quantity of items were also donated, including clothes, medication, toys and toiletries. In addition, lots of dog and cat food was also collected following an appeal by Benidorm dog homing and Benidorm Palace.
Jo Hollingsworth and Jonny Elraiz of Project4All had the idea of a fundraising event to help finance a trip to the border and the show was put together by entertainer Simon Ruston – one half of a Meatloaf tribute act - in just a matter of days, what a champion. Together with Wayne Edward Bellamy-Wright, aka Miss Levi, the pair hosted and compered throughout the afternoon, drumming up enthusiasm and getting people to part with their money for the desperately tragic situation taking place in Ukraine.
The sheer volume of goods donated over the course of the week was totally unexpected and far too much to be taken over in one van. Feedback from charities and volunteers at the border are to please stop sending clothes as they are totally deluged, so only items specifically requested are going at this moment.
Jo and Jonny are now enroute to Cluj, a migrant camp in Romania. Having communicated with independent volunteers already there, they are driving a van full of essential donations, the hire of which was paid for by local businesswoman Jacqui Birch, owner of Alicante Private Transfers. Another people carrier has joined them and they hope to bring people back fleeing the horrors of war.
A proportion of the money raised will be used for fuel getting there and back, the destination of the remaining funds will be decided once they have arrived and the situation assessed. Once they arrive back in Spain they will update everyone how their donations were spent.
A huge thanks goes out to the entertainers who performed – all free of charge, the local businesses that donated
raffle prizes but most of all, those that came to support the event and help raise such an astounding amount.