Firefly's Annual Gala 2021 - St George's Church, Notting Hill.
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We are thrilled to have been chosen to be part of the Big Give Christmas
Challenge for the third year running.
From 30th November - 7th December at 12pm everything donated to
Firefly on the Big Give Christmas Challenge platform is doubled by them
- YES DOUBLED! Raising vital funds for our Firefly for Syrians project to
enable it to grow and reach more children whose lives have been
devastated by war.
Help us to reach our target of £33,300 any donation from £1 is
doubled!
Firefly’s Annual Gala 2021
St George’s Church,
Notting Hill.
20 1
Welcome Special Mentions
FIrefly Makes a Difference Gala Committee Firefly Team
A warm welcome to you all and thank you for coming to this, Henrietta McMicking Diana McMicking - Charity Director
our first in person event for 2 years. Tonight is a vital Diana McMicking Tor Crawley - Charity Manager
fundraiser for Firefly’s partner projects in Bosnia, Gaza, Turkey Tor Crawley Maria Chambers - Projects Coordinator
and Syria. Sebastian Chambers Fadia Shaker - Director Firefly for Syrians
Ros Muspratt Gordana Varcakovic - Director Svitac
The three projects we support have worked very hard Mohammed El Sharef - Firefly Gaza
through the last two years and have responded to the Isabella McMicking Ana King, Firefly International social media intern
challenges they always face and adapted to the new Ana King Thanks to the Readers & Performers
challenge of the pandemic too. They have developed new Charles Phillips Misha Glenny
ways of working with the children they support, still offering May Muhtadi Joanna David
Viola Procovio Pandora Colin
high quality programmes and have keeping everyone safe
Jane Salmonson Neil Stuke
too. Trustees
Henrietta McMicking Clara Pople
The work they do makes a difference to the lives of so many Kiwan’s Family
Sebastian Chambers
children living in terrible circumstances through no fault of Forget Shareka
Adrian Beidas
their own. Children who live with the constant threat of
Mark Leishman
violence, children who have had to flee war and children Charles Phillips
living with the long term effects of conflict. We are so proud Hugo Page Thanks also to
of what our partners achieve and the many young lives they Ben Maxwell Cat Manson - Auctioneer
Craig Longman of CPL films
have transformed.
Vicky Stirling
We are delighted that our teams are joining us on zoom this Volunteers Virginia Constable Maxwell
evening. I hope we can do their work justice tonight and that Flora McMicking Victoria O’Neill at St George’s Church
you will help us to raise the funding to bring hope to these Annie Maclachlan Green Valley Delicatessen for the catering
devastated communities. Nel Whittaker Everyone who kindly donated an auction lot
Niamh Burns Two anonymous donors for the food and drink
Many thanks
Mariella Hall Mark Denza, St George’s Church Organist
Diana McMicking, Firefly Director
Lucy Sherry
2 19
Sebastian Chambers Chair of Trustees Running Order
This Gala and the Big Give marks the finale of Diana McMicking’s time as Welcome
our director. Diana is a brilliant leader. In the past four years, she has Carol : In the Bleak Midwinter
transformed Firefly, enabling us to access new sources of funding,
Film from Misha Glenny
expand all of our projects and partner with other NGOs. She has guided
us through the pandemic, increasing the budgets for the children we Film from Svitac, Bosnia
support, despite all the challenges of not being able to have fundraising Diana McMicking, Firefly Director
events. Diana, I can’t tell you how much we appreciate what you have
Film from Forget Shareka, Ellie Maxwell Award Winner 2021
and are doing for Firefly. It is brilliant that you are staying with us as a
trustee. Music from Kiwan’s Family
Maria Chambers, Project Coordinator Syria & Gaza
I am delighted to welcome our incoming director, Jane Salmonson. Jane Film from Firefly for Syrians
has had a distinguished career working across our sector; most recently
Neil Stuke, Firefly Patron
as CEO of Scotland’s International Development Alliance. She previously
held leadership positions at L’Arche and Mercy Corps – where she got to Big Give Film
know some of the challenges facing Bosnia. Jane has been working Adrian Beidas, Trustee for Gaza
alongside Diana, Tor and Maria over the past two months and is already
Film from Gaza Child Counselling Project
making a difference. We are so lucky to have her on board.
Pandora Colin, Firefly Patron
Putting on this evening has involved a tremendous amount of hard work Music from Clara Pople
from many people. Massive thanks to: Het and her amazing committee,
Carol : O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Tor and her brilliant production and comms, Diana and Maria, Gordana,
Fadia, Mohammed, and their teams, Our wonderful performers, Joanna David, Firefly Patron
presenters and auctioneer Carol: Hark the Herald Angels Sing
And what would we do without Virginia and her incredible ability to get
Live Auction with Cat Manson
so many of us to support Firefly. Ultimately all thanks to all of our
supporters - you are what enables… Firefly to make a difference Sebastian Chambers, Chair of Trustees
Close
18 3
dssds
Firefly for Syrians in Syria & Turkey Online Auction
Our centre in Antakya is the hub of
Bosnia St Christopher print
our activities, it is from here that our
Syrian staff, all refugees themselves, Christmas Candle
develop educational programmes.
Bespoke educational resources are Gigha smoked halibut
manufactured and developed and
then delivered cross border to Kelly Bronze Turkey
support our learning programmes Biodynamic massage
inside Syria.
Seaside cottage in Norfolk
Firefly for Syrians has also developed
highly successful online learning Tour of Sipsmith Distillery
programmes. In the last two years
There are very few teacher training
Fisherman’s Cottage in Fife
our Youtube learning programme
has grown to over 2000 online opportunities for staff inside Syria. A Ali Grant artwork
lessons and had over 400,000 hits vital part of our work is teacher
where 50,000 would have been training, plugging the gap where so Copper whiskey decanter
expected. many teachers have fled Syria. We
nurture young teachers inside Syria Glamping in Wiltshire
providing daily support and mentoring. Cottage in Perthshire hills
O ur programmes are specifically Artist made table mats
designed to address the educational
and psychosocial needs of displaced Rebecca Thomson earrings
Syrian children, providing literacy and
numeracy skills and an introduction to
Stay for 2 in Bruton
applied science. We provide a top- Seaside apartment in Elie, Fife
quality educational foundation for
these children’s future employability Robert Churchill watercolour
and life chances.
Tour of Syon House for 12
Each month we offer these opportunities to around 800 Secluded cottage for 4 in Norfolk
children
4 17
A Week in a French Villa Ahmed’s Story
Ahmed is 5 and a refugee from Northern Syria. He
was withdrawn and had severe separation anxiety
when he first came to our centre in Antakya, Turkey.
He did not interact or play with other children.
When he joined the Arabic course on the 12
September 2020, he had no previous formal
learning experience. He had difficulty controlling the pen and struggled
memorising simple words. In the Arabic learning course during lock down, we
created an online group where teachers send educational videos and guided
children through a highly structured phonetic approach to learning Arabic
language, brought alive with colourful resources, games and creative tasks
supplied by us. Caregivers were trained by our staff to support their children’s
learning and record video clips of their children that were sent to the group. Rasha,
head of our Arabic language programme put a lot of time and patience into
nurturing Ahmed and supporting his mother who had suffered a very hard war.
A seven night stay in a gorgeous newly renovated former convent, near
She visited Ahmed personally in his home several times to build communication
Grasse. Set in 8 acres of olive groves and gardens with far reaching views.
with him. After a while as Ahmed’s trust and confidence grew, he slowly began to
This house is beautifully decorated and furnished and is a family home
participate and enjoyed feedback from his teacher on the Whatsapp group. When
which has never been let out before. Lovely pool area next to a covered
Ahmed came to our centre for his first monthly assessment, he was happy to meet
outdoor kitchen and dining area, kitted out with dishwasher, barbecue,
the other children, he started smiling. Now his mother says: “I feel so much better
plancha and Hibachi grill. Vegetable garden with wood fired oven. House for Ahmed because he is no longer shy as before, and he loves to learn and
sleeps 8 with 3 double bedrooms and one twin, each with its own communicate with other children and has benefited a lot in the Arabic language
bathroom, 2 bathrooms with bath and shower and 2 with just shower. course, all thanks to the teachers in Firefly for Syrians and its management.”
16 5
Firefly in Bosnia Svitac Bagpiper for an event
Our founding partners Svitac continue to do their vital peace building work in
Brčko, Bosnia and Herzegovina with the young people of the three different A bagpiper in full highland dress can be provided for your
ethnic groups (or nationalities) Bosniak, Serb and Croat. Svitac provides the only event to help make your special occasion a memorable one.
neutral place where these young people can come together in a safe place and
become friends. Svitac runs daily activities, summer camps and festivals
throughout the year to build tolerance in such a divided society.
As of the writing of this report, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) faces the greatest existential
threat of the postwar period. Persistent, grave challenges to the fundamentals of the
General Framework Agreement for Peace (GFAP) by the Republika Srpska (RS) entity
authorities, led by the biggest RS party, the Alliance for Independent Social Democrats
(SNSD) headed by BiH Presidency member Milorad Dodik, endanger not only the peace
and stability of the country and the region, but – if unanswered by the international
community – could lead to the undoing of the Agreement itself.
High Representative of office of implementation of peace agreement, Christian Schmidt
Note: Thomas is based in Edinburgh, so may need travel
reporting to the Secretary General of United Nations Antonio Gutteres, October 2021.
expenses if travelling outside that area, but happy to travel.
6
15
Lucy Temple sdsdsds
Firefly for Palestinians
Firefly’s partnership project in Gaza
In 2018 Firefly joined a partnership with
IMET2000 a medical training charity, ACT
International a charity training trainers to
provide the Child Accelerated Trauma
Therapy for children with PTSD as a result
of conflict. We have successfully treated
121 children in Gaza.
This year our centre was bombed in May
during the 11 day war. With the money
you, our supporters, donated we have
One of the new psychologists giving
relocated to a bigger centre and
therapy to a child suffering from
An original and very collectable artwork employed two more therapists.
PTSD
Lucy has been a huge supporter of Firefly for the past few years and we are delighted As well as this our two original practitioners have undergone training to learn how to
train other therapists and this means that the project can grow exponentially.
to be auctioning one of her amazing artworks tonight. Lucy lives in West London
with her son Aaron, and draws on her artistic heritage, talent and training to produce
highly detailed paintings in jewel-like colours. Taking traditional Islamic patterns as
her starting point she spends hours meticulously working on the repeat patterns to
create her designs. Colour is the key to everything whether it is her patterns or the
funky pop art hearts and stars.
Her work is highly desirable and very collectable and has been bought by, amongst
others, Boy George, Davina McCall, Emma Forbes, David and Martha Mlinaric, Cathy
An image of the new therapists giving The bombed tower where our centre was
Kasterine, Lisa Gorman, Danny Katz, Nicola Jacobs, Max Wigram, Bill Nighy, Colefax &
an awareness session to caregivers at before May 2021
Fowler and Ed O’Brien from Radiohead. the new centre in Gaza.
14 7
Neil Stuke Golf at Muirfield
Actor and Firefly Patron
A round of 18 or 27 holes at the world
The twice Bafta nominated actor is probably famous Muirfield Golf Club in East Lothian
best known for his role as head clerk Billy with a member. A day to be taken in 2022
Lamb in the BBC legal drama ‘Silk’ and has for three golfers to play 18 or 27 holes
appeared in hits such as ‘Doctor Foster’
jhjh
(foursomes) at Muirfield together with a fine
‘Cobra’, 'Paranoid', ‘Silent Witness’ and 'Jack lunch and wine.
Ryan'. Amongst his many theatre Terms and conditions that apply to the
performances Neil was at The Old Vic in Joe prize: Days need to be Wednesday,
Penhall's hit 'Mood music' just before the Saturday or Sunday from April to October
pandemic struck. Neil has been a much 2022 and the round is with a member as
valued Patron of Firefly since 2018. part of a foursome.
Misha Glenny Le Buet Chalet
Chalet Buet is located in the pretty
Misha is an authority on Central Europe, cyber- hamlet of Le Buet 14 km from
security and organised crime. He was Central Chamonix.
Europe correspondent for The Guardian and It is extremely comfortable with 3
later the BBC correspondent during the bedrooms sleeps 6 (one with a
Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. He has published freestanding cast iron bath) and a wood
three definitive books on the history of Central burning stove. It is available outside of
and Eastern Europe and is also well known for Scottish and English school holidays
his book and TV series MacMafia. throughout 2022.
8 13
A Night in Queen Mary’s Chamber Clara Pople
Performer
Neidpath Castle Clara Pople is a singer / songwriter from Cumbria
who recently graduated from BIMM in
A night for two in Queen Manchester. She writes, she sings, she loops, she
Mary’s Chamber, Neidpath gospels and she performs. All her music is
Castle. A whole castle to written collaboratively with either her mum or
yourselves for one night with her brother. Think acoustic, think folk, think jazz,
dinner, bed and breakfast. think soul. You can find her on instagram,
facebook and soundcloud: @clarapoplemusic
“Without doubt one of the most
romantic places to stay in the Kiwan Family
Scottish Borders”
Performer
Kiwan’s Family is a highly acclaimed and much beloved Middle Eastern folk band
from Suwayda, Syria. Formed by Osama Kiwan, he, Eleen, Hatem, and Hanen have
performed as a family all over the UK since 2017, delighting crowds at events that
include The Cambridge Festival and The Academy of Arts Arab Heritage Choir in
London. They have collaborated with the likes of The Liverpool Philharmonic
Orchestra and Damon Albarn. Their talent is of the highest order, and their joyous
spirit and warmth is absolutely infectious.
12 9
dssd
Forget Shareka Pandora Colin Actor and Firefly Patron
Pandora is a British/American actor who is best known
The Ellie Maxwell Award is given annually to students studying at Edinburgh
for her theatre work, she has just appeared in Bach
University who have founded a charity doing innovative work encouraging and Sons at the Bridge Theatre. Other roles include
social change. This award is in memory of Firefly’s founder Ellie Maxwell who playing Titania/Hippolyta in ‘A Midsummers Nights
started Firefly as a student at Edinburgh and who’s charity lives on, making a Dream’ at the Crucible in Sheffield. TV work includes
difference to children living in the shadow of war. Thousands of children have ‘Chernobyl’ ‘The Vote’ and ‘Count Arthur Strong’.
had their lives transformed by Firefly and Ellie’s legacy is growing every year. Pandora’s film credits include ‘Run Fatboy Run’ and
‘The Lady in the Van’. In 2002 she appeared in a
production of ‘ Julius Caesar’ performed in
Wandsworth Prison with Synergy
Theatre Project, a company set up to work with offenders and ex-offenders. Pandora
This year Forget Shareka was our plays bass guitar in the band Venetian Blonde.
winner. Forget founded the Life
Future Hope Association.
Joanna David
Actor and Firefly Patron
Joanna trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of
Dramatic Art. She has appeared in numerous regional
theatres playing leading roles and her television work
In Forget’s words: “Life Hope Future Association is a non-governmental organisation
includes: Dawn French’s show Delicious for Sky, War and
aiming to transform indigenous and rural farmer’s lives through vocational based
Peace, Sense and Sensibility, Monarch of the Glen,
agribusiness and entrepreneurship skills while eradicating poverty and increasing
Rumpole of the Bailey, The Forsyte Saga, and Downton
education opportunities. We spread HOPE and LOVE through social inclusion and
community development work. Thank you so much for helping us transform lives in Costa Abbey. Films include: Cotton Mary, These Foolish Things,
Rica and Zimbabwe. Together we make this world a better and safer place for all.” Joanna is an experienced broadcaster and she has also recorded numerous
audiobooks.
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