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Spread the Word to fundraise for Saint Vincent volcano devastation
London writers agency Spread the Word is supporting an online fundraising event for writers in Saint Vincent, in the wake of the La Soufriere volcano eruption.
Writers for Saint Vincent will feature authors and writers of Vincentian heritage reading literature and sharing their works that are connected with the Caribbean island. Spread the Word will be administering funds, supporting the promotion, and hosting and co-ordinating the event.
It is also being co-organised by an alumni of the London Writers Awards, Alexis Keir, whose creative non-fiction writing is rooted in and inspired by his Vincentian heritage. Lafleur Cockburn, member of the Nucleus group of Saint Vincent-based writers, is also co-organising.
The event will take place on Saturday 24th April at 7 p.m. BST, raising funds for the UK-Saint Vincent and the Grenandines combined response to the volcano eruption.
The publishing industry in the UK is being encouraged to show its support through donations, and raising awareness about the event and the crisis through its networks.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has experienced a continuing series of huge eruptions since 9th April and more than 15,000 people have had to leave their homes. The island is currently blanketed in ashfall, and its population are experiencing shortages of food, water, PPE and sanitary materials.
Keir said: “The small island of Saint Vincent is being battered by repeated eruptions of its volcano La Soufriere. Thousands of people have been displaced to shelters and supplies of water, food and basic living resources are extremely stretched. The spirit and creativity of Vincentians is so strong but they need a lot of support right now to get through this crisis. Writers connected to Saint Vincent, both on and off the island, are coming together to share their words about this beautiful and indomitable nation and its people to give the wider world a change to support them. Do come and join us.”
The line up for the event includes readings from Lafleur Cockburn and other members of The Nucleus Writers Group (SVG/Caribbean), Colin Grant (UK), Philip Nanton (Saint Vincent/Barbados), Peggy Carr (Saint Vincent/Taiwan), H Nigel Thomas (Canada), Natasha Marks (Saint Vincent), Deiana Denise Sutherland (UK), Michael McMillan (UK), Cecil Browne (UK) and Keir, with others to be confirmed.
Tickets are available by donation here.
