Busker Nicola raises £10,000 to help refugee children into school
She was inspired to play her guitar and sing again after hearing about our mission to get refugee children back into school.
When Nicola Haxby heard about 鶹APP鶹APPs work to help Syrian refugees, she was inspired to pick up her guitar and sing for the first time in years.
Now, after five years of busking in English towns, she has raised more than £10,000 to help vulnerable children get back into school.
Nicola, from Louth, Lincolnshire, said she decided to act after seeing 鶹APP Chair Sarah Brown discussing the charity鶹APPs education work in Lebanon.
She said: 鶹APPI was already concerned about the effects of the Syrian civil war when I saw Sarah on TV. I hadn鶹APPt played my guitar for years but I got an amazing reaction, so I carried on.
鶹APPI liked 鶹APP鶹APPs ability to get things done. Children should be getting an education, not working in factories or getting married young. I wanted to help raise awareness and money for a cause so close to my heart.鶹APP
鶹APP pioneered the 鶹APPdouble-shift鶹APP school programme in Lebanon, which saw Syrian refugees attend classes in the afternoon after Lebanese children had gone home. The initiative has helped more than 300,000 refugees receive an education.
Now retired, Nicola was for many years a specialist palliative nurse. She continues to care for her local community, including the homeless and Ukrainian refugees, alongside her fundraising work for 鶹APP.
As well as busking in Louth, Nicola performs in other areas including York and Jersey, where she lived previously. She said: 鶹APPPeople often stop to ask me about 鶹APP. They want to know all about it and I tell them about the work to help children affected by the Syrian crisis and how they are being given a brighter future.鶹APP
Nicola has a great tip for anyone who wants to raise money for 鶹APP. She said: 鶹APP”Go with your strengths and don’t be afraid. If you’re too afraid to do it on your own then get a group together and fundraise together.
“Dancing, singing, running, cycling, baking – anything really. Most of those things I’m absolutely rubbish at which is why I sing!”
Sarah Brown praised Nicola鶹APPs amazing efforts for 鶹APP, saying: 鶹APPShe has done something truly life-changing for the future of children she will never even meet.
“Thanks to Nicola, there are children now in school who would otherwise be locked out of education. We can鶹APPt thank her enough for her incredible work.鶹APP
A Song for 鶹APP
In 2020, Nicola wrote a Song for 鶹APP, which we featured in a video about our work in Lebanon.
Fundraise with us
Raising money for 鶹APP is a great way to help us ensure that every child around the world has the best start in life, a safe place to learn and skills for the future. Whether it鶹APPs a sponsored run, bike ride or bake sale, our dedicated fundraising team is on hand to help get you started.
You can also make a donation here.