Today’s blog post is by illustrator Axel Scheffler.
There are still tickets left for an event that is very important to me that will happen in Richmond very soon (on Saturday 4 November), in aid of two different charities supporting Syrian refugees in Greece and in Jordan: Light on a Winter’s Night.
The evening will start with a cocktail reception, during which you will have the chance to view details of the exciting items offered in our “silent auction” and make preliminary bids.
The sit-down dinner will be provided by Christine and Ahmad from Aleppo who own a deli in Teddington. Small, cold starter dishes will be followed by hot dishes and a sweet baklava treat to finish.
During the course of the evening, I will draw the Gruffalo and other characters – or whatever the audience suggests, really, except cows: I don’t like to draw cows. Actually, I would even draw a cow. And you will have the chance to bid for the drawings at auction. My friend, the author Elizabeth Laird, will also auction the dedication to her forthcoming novel, ‘Song of the Dolphin Boy’ to be published by Macmillan Children’s Books in March 2018. There will be many other prizes on offer too – we’re running a raffle as well as the silent auction. Prizes include a week’s accommodation in a flat in the centre of Edinburgh during next year’s festival, a copy of Warhorse signed by Michael Morpurgo, a school visit from me, and a magnificent walnut wood backgammon board inlaid with mother-of-pearl, brought out from Damascus as the war began.
Tickets cost £50 per person. The money we raise will be split between two charities, both of which are working for refugees fleeing conflict and destitution. Like Three Peas, Helping Refugees in Jordan is run entirely by volunteers and has no administrative costs. The charity is without any political or religious affiliation.
Please come. It would be great to see you there.
You can book your place here.
