What Happened Next??

Hey everyone,

This blog has been feeling a little neglected and unloved for a while but this is going to change!

While we haven’t been posting it doesn’t mean we had forgotten all about what we doing. Far from it, we have been working hard fundraising and a lot has happened since April!

The funding deadline for Ewrasac was extended to the 1st of May so as a group we all sprung into action – we publicised by word of mouth, online, newspapers and holding events. It was a manic and worrying few weeks while we blasted Edinburgh with the news of the centre’s urgent financial difficulty. Without help the centre would have had to let go of staff and resources, both vital for women and children who need this specialized support.

Then came the news – on the 19th April – 12 days left – we got the news we could only dream of getting… Ewrasac was saved for one more year!!

Ewrasac and Save Ewrasac (as our group named ourselves) we are absolutely ecstatic as it meant that everything we had been dreading was at the very least postponed for another twelve months!

So Save Ewrasac had a new task – we wanted to cut down on the nine month waiting list and generate as much public awareness of the centre and the importance of valuable survivor support. After all had it not been for the centre I would not be who I am or be where I am today.

So since that day as a facebook fundraising group we have grown to 116 people – who come along, perform, organise, share and invite people to our fundraising events.

We have done….

3 x pub quizzes

3 x Creative nights

3 x Open Mics

2 x Waffle Sales

2 x Bake Sales

2 x Coffee and Cake Days with local businesses

2 x Raffles

1 x Marathon day at Eteaket

1 x Multicultural Festival

1 x Clothes Swap

1 x Music and Dancing Night in Portobello

1 x Film Night

We spread the word about our events mostly entirely online through our facebook page –

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-Ewrasac/504730402916567

individual’s facebook accounts, groups and gumtree.

Through facebook, Save Ewrasac as been able to connect with other organizations concerned with violence against women such as Women’s Aid, Engender, Rape Crisis, White Ribbon, Hollaback to name put a few. It has been so much fun finding out what is happening not only in Edinburgh but also worldwide. It has been really heartwarming to know that people care a great deal and will donate not only money but also time, energy and talent into making events such a success.

Some events were big. Some events were small. Together our events raised £3500!! However with increased awareness, the public donated a MASSIVE £30,000.

We also started an online petition –

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/edinburgh-women-s-rape-and-sexual-abuse-centre-ewrasac-please-help-ensure-that-this-brilliant-service-can-still-go-on

It was highlighted for a couple of days which was pretty exciting and really interesting to see names from all around the world popping up.

As it is the Edinburgh Fringe – we have a few things up our sleeve too!

We have the lovely bunch from the Fanny Hill Project who while performing will be fundraising

https://www.facebook.com/events/302339599912871/

And Cinders Lives is allowing us to collect at her performance!

https://www.facebook.com/cinderellalives

Plus a couple more, watch this space …..

I am really proud to be a member of Save EWRASAC and to be in a position to know such passionate, lovely, talented people. Before February, l’m not ashamed to say that despite living in the culturally rich Edinburgh with thousands of people around all the time, I didn’t know much of it. The big world outside was just a bit too big for me at that time. But since the help of Ewrasac and the fundraising group that has very much turned full circle. I have a hell of a lot to be thankful!

So a massive thank you to Ewrasac and Save Ewrasac for being who you are and long may it continue!

Apr 15

A Night of Poetry in support of EWRASAC

On April 4th, Save EWRASAC organised a poetry night in the theme of Rebirth to raise money and awareness for Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. The theme was chosen partly as it tied in with spring and easter, but mainly as gaining help after being abused can help many women experience a form of rebirth or reinvention.

Photography: Astrid Meyer

MiKo Koko performing an original poem for the crowd. Photography: Anja Wolf

The night took place at The Forest Cafe in central Edinburgh, a volunteer-run cafe which welcomes artistic endeavours.

Photography: Astrid Meyer Tracy Rosenberg performed a poem from her recently published book of poetry. Photography: Anja Wolf

Laura Mulcahy speaking to the group at The Forest Cafe. Photography: Astrid Meyer

Laura Mulcahy gave the crowd some background information about Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre and the 50% loss in funding they are facing as of May 2013. She explained her reasons for setting up the Save EWRASAC group and how others can support the centre and ensure they are able to maintain the services they offer to women who have been victims of sexual abuse.

Agnes Torok performing an original poem in front of the crowd in The Forest Cafe – the place was packed! Photography: Anja Wolf

Poets from all over the world performed on the night, and the evening featured published poets as well as complete beginners.

Photography: Astrid Meyer

Poetry night organiser Maria Vole introduced the evening and the poets. Photography: Astrid Meyer

Hannah McCooke performing an original poem. Photography: Astrid Meyer

First-time poet Amie Robertson caused quite a stir with her performance of an original poem which was a rap/speech/poem hybrid. Photography: Anja Wolf

Alex Pirks reading an original poem by Jonas Cimermanas. Photography: Astrid Meyer

Laura Mulcahy, founder of the Save EWRASAC group and fundraiser organiser read an original poem and wrapped the night up. Photography: Astrid Meyer

Laura Mulcahy and Maria Vole, the organisers of the poetry night. Photography: Astrid Meyer

A huge thanks to everyone who came down, and a special thanks to our amazing poets! We are holding another poetry night on the 16th of May – this time, the theme will be ‘Freedom’. The Facebook event with more information can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/154946491340633.

Mar 25

Save EWRASAC stall at International Women’s Day Celebration

Save EWRASAC held a stall at the International Women’s Day Celebrations Event at the Drill Hall on Sunday March 24^th. The multicultural event included stalls with food from all around the world (our contribution was the Scandinavian waffles we all know and love from the waffle sale two days previously) as well as origami making workshops, poetry readings, live music from all over the world, an African fashion show, a Kurdish dancing workshop and other fun and cultural activities. We had a lovely day interacting with so many interesting people and raising awareness for EWRASAC while providing hot waffles for the hungry event-goers.

Maria manning our wee stall

Laura making waffles!

The delicious outcome of our waffling

We took part in some Kurdish dancing at the multicultural event

Laura and Richa dancing away

Mar 25

Waffle Sale In Support of EWRASAC

On Friday the 22^nd of March, Save EWRASAC organized a waffle sale to raise funds as well as awareness for Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre. Having made many a batch of waffle batter (vegan and normal), we made our way to George Square in the early morning hours to set up our stall. Despite the cold and windy weather, many helpers as well as waffle-buyers came down to partake in the waffly yumminess and support the centre, and all in all we raised an amazing £260 for EWRASAC. This money goes directly to the centre and will fund their work and services that they offer. We’d like to extend our sincerest thanks to all of you that came down on the day to support the cause, and of course everyone who helped on the day!

Sophie advertising the waffle sale outside George Square Lecture Theatre

Two happy waffle makers!

Some of the waffle selling gang 🙂

Mar 5

The Beginning

Welcome to the Save Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre Fundraising Group blog.

Edinburgh Women’s Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (EWRASAC) is an amazing place which is close to many hearts. It offers high quality emotional and practical support to survivors. It is a safe haven for many, a place that helps women not to feel alone and gives hope. The centre provides a helpline, advocacy advice, art/music/complementary therapy, one-to-one and group support absolutely free.

http://www.ewrasac.org.uk/

The centre is facing a massive 50% drop in funding which will severely affect everything that the centre does.

http://www.ewrasac.org.uk/Christmas-Appeal/christmas-appeal.html

The Save Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre fundraising group is a passionate facebook group that will support the centre which has helped so many. This blog will give personal accounts of the exciting adventures that our fundraising will take us.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/saveedinburghrapecrisiscentre/

twitter – saveewrasac

Come and join us!

Save Edinburgh Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre

A blog to keep up to date on what we're doing to help save EWRASAC and how you can get involved!