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 –
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!
Save Edinburgh Women's Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre 