Musical extravaganza raises money for refugee crisis

Music lovers flocked to Islesburgh this weekend to raise funds for the refugee crisis.

A broad array of local talent took to the stage yesterday for the Solidarity Through Music gig – from rock trio The Dirty Lemons, brass-bursting The Bluemelts, The Donald Anderson Band and poet Nat Hall.

Money raised will go to Re-Act Scotland, Doctors of the World and the World Food Programme.

A custom-designed guitar made by SIC councillor Gary Cleaver will be auctioned off at a later date and a host of other raffle prizes were donated by local businesses to raise funds.

The day of music was organised by Shetland Supports Refugees, who last week held an event at the Clickimin Loch where flowers were laid in remembrance of those who have died during the crisis.

More events are in the pipeline, including unity prayers, which are open to people with or without a faith.

Main organiser of the music event, Wendy Sinclair said the refugee crisis was “a huge cause”.

“I just hate seeing suffering and I was wanting to do something,” she said.

“It just built up and built up and you get to that point where enough is enough.

“You just figure you know what, ‘let’s do something’.”

Wendy has been taken aback by the generosity of folk in Shetland and said music was something that Shetlanders could also connect with. It is hoped the concert will become an annual event held on World Refugee Day.

“Even the generosity of the bands playing – we’ve had people asking us to play,” said Wendy.

Visiting folk band Skerryvore were due to perform at the event following their gig at Mareel on Friday night. They also performed a show in Aith last night as part of their visit.

However, they were unable to perform at the fundraiser as the Islesburgh show was running later than planned, but gave a donation for the raffle instead.

Wendy said seeing the terrible plight of children during the crisis had been particularly hard hitting to people in the isles.

“I think one of the things people keep saying is the image of the children. If anything has hit them the most it’s the bairns.”

More in Friday’s Shetland Times.