In an effort to raise £30,000 for refugees, poets are gathering in Brighton on Sunday (December 11) for a ten-hour poetry relay.
Spokeswoman Vanessa Gebbie: “The Komedia is hosting the largest single gathering of poets in the city’s history – from international names to first-time writers, as well as lovers of poetry. All of them are reading poems to bring in sponsorship that will help displaced people.
“From multi-award winning poet Grace Nichols to Attila the Stockbroker, from actor James Wilby to his year’s Forward prize winner, Sarah Howe, an unbroken relay will continue until 10 pm, marshalled by a rota of comperes to keep each reader to precisely eight minutes of stage time. Poets Inua Ellams and Edin Suljic are former refugees.
“Fundraising continues on the day with a tombola and silent auction stocked by local businesses and individuals and pop-up poetry book shop, which promises some rare and collectible titles.
“All proceeds made on the day will go to The School Bus Project, an innovative mobile education initiative. Sponsorship raised by performers – £26,000, and rising – goes to the Refugee Council using the crowdfunding platform JustGiving, which enables 25% extra in Gift Aid.
“The Poem-a-Thon is on Sunday, December 11 from noon to 10 pm, at The Komedia Bar. Entry is free. It is being run organised by a group of poets from Brighton and East Sussex.”
