Norfolk fund-raiser for earthquake victims 

Homelessness charity Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney is standing in solidarity with survivors of the devasting Turkey-Syria earthquake and hosting a fundraising event at its Ditchingham site on Saturday July 8 including a visit from its president Terry Waite, a former Middle East envoy and Beirut hostage.

The charity is inviting visitors to their shop, café, and grounds in Besley Bridge, Ditchingham, NR35 2DT, for a day of shopping, live entertainment, and Turkish food. The charity will be donating 100% of the day’s takings from their second-hand showroom to Emmaus Bosnia, a community and organisation they are twinned with to support their Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal. By simply shopping in the charity’s second-hand showroom, visitors can make a difference to vulnerable people in Turkey & Syria and those that have been displaced as a result of the earthquakes.
 
Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, said: “We are proud to be part of an international movement against poverty; our Emmaus community is one of over 350 Emmaus organisations across the world. Emmaus Bosnia is working hard to provide essential supplies like food and hygiene products to the Turkish and Syrian people and their team is constantly on the ground to assess the needs of local people. Anything we can do to support them will make a big difference and we look forward to seeing our own community and the wider local Norfolk community come together and support people in need.”   
 
In addition to a day of shopping, there will be lots going on at the Solidarity event. Visitors can enjoy a Turkish meze picnic on the beautiful orchard grounds including an array of falafel, smoky chicken skewers, Turkish Shepherd salad, kisir, flatbreads, and olives. Attendees to the event can sit back and watch live entertainment including belly dancing performances and an inspiring Q&A from Emmaus President, Terry Waite CBE. Families can also join in a children’s trail and enter a raffle to win a brand-new children’s bike.
 
The event will run from 10am – 4pm and is free to attend. Visitors must pre-book the Turkish meze picnic before the event, tickets can be booked on the charity’s Eventbrite page or by calling 01986 895444.
 
Book tickets for the Turkish meze picnic here.
 
Emmaus is a homelessness charity, supporting up to 32 people who have experienced homelessness by providing a home and meaningful work in their community for as long as they need it. Solidarity is an important aspect of the homelessness charity’s mission; they work to help first those who need it first.
 
Pictured above is Emmaus President, Terry Waite who will be in Norfolk on July 8.