A grime night in Dalston has raised thousands of pounds for refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria.
GrimeAid took place at The Nest nightclub on Stoke Newington Road. It was hosted by Hackney-born Beats1 DJ Julie Adenuga and helped raise more than £4,500 for migrants settling in Serbia.
Fundraiser organiser Ra’ed Khan, 28, told Hackney Post: “After seeing the awful images of refugees fleeing for their lives from all over the world, I just felt it was the human thing to do to help these people.”
With the £2,300 raised on the night and an additional £2,200 from a crowdfunding campaign, Khan says he will be taking food parcels, hygiene kits and winter clothing to refugees in Serbia later this month.
Khan used his connections in the music industry to put on the night.
“I’m so overwhelmed to see the support from not just the grime scene or music industry but people all over the UK who are showing solidarity,” he said.
#GRIMEAID on Monday 19th October!https://t.co/qX7Vz35nXJ
Come to support & enjoy music! ? pic.twitter.com/ozNdNM3oAS— Julie Adenuga (@JulieAdenuga) October 13, 2015
Ahead of an earlier trip to the “Jungle” camp at Calais in September, Khan raised more than £2,500 for humanitarian aid.
“One thing that touched me was despite everything they have gone through their humility and appreciation for those that come help them is beyond inspiring.
“Some of the refugees would ask us if we wanted to share some of the same food that we gave them or invite us into their ‘homes’ which are just tents for a tea, [that] really touched my heart.”
Picture: Ra’ed Khan
