When we woke up to images of Ayan Kurdi, the five year old boy who drowned trying to reach Europe with his father, I immediately thought of my grandmother. 

I didn't know the details until recently, but my family fled persecution in Eastern Europe, travelling to London and then on to Canada in the early 1920s. There is a story about her getting on a this huge boat with her mother and five brothers and sisters, one of whom was carrying or being carried in a great cooking pot. If it wasn't for this survival instinct, and a country that offered safe haven, I wouldn't be here today. 

I can't imagine what their journey must have been like. They didn't speak the language and had never been to a big city. The picture you see is the boat that took my grandmother to Canada - it is a far cry from the rubber dinghies that are being used by refugees from Syria, Eritrea, and Somalia today to cross the Mediterranean. 

I wish Ayan Kurdi's family had the chance of  such a boat to travel in. I can't provide boats to stop people dying while politicians catch up with the crisis - but I CAN raise money to help MSF continue their valuable work at the frontline of this crisis. Please help us by supporting the Poem-A-Thon, and donating to MSF. 

Funds raised will go to support the work of MSF and its work in the Mediterranean with refugees.

This FREE event will take place on:

5th December

at Vout-O-Reenees, 30 Prescott Street, London E1 8BB, a gorgeous private members' club owned by the amazing Sophie Parkin.

Time: 12 noon to 10 pm.

Entry to the event is free. Please sponsor me and pop in for as long or short a time as you like on the day to cheer our many fabulous poets.

All funds raised will be through sponsorship and donations. Funds raised will go to support the work of MSF and its work with refugees in the Mediterranean.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.