Ballyliffin film festival holding charity event for earthquake victims

The Disappear Here Film Festival in Ballyliffin is holding a charity clothes drive in the village for victims of the earthquakes that struck northern Syria and southern Turkey earlier this month.

The festival screened the documentary film For Sama in 2019, a powerful first-hand account of the civil war in Syria and now the festival committee wants to try and support the relief effort in the region by holding the event in the village on Saturday, March 4. 

Festival director Michael McLaughlin said that following the scenes of devastation, the festival committee had wondered how it could support people that are experiencing loss on an unimaginable scale.

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“In 2019 we invited the Syrian refugee community in Carndonagh to attend our festival and they responded on the night by preparing a banquet for our audience, typical in their homes and giving us an insight into the incredible culture and beautiful cuisine of their homeland.

“As we see both Syria and its neighbouring countries being so dramatically impacted by this tragedy, we simply want to help with some aid via a number of charities, though primarily via Medics Sans Frontieres, delivering medical aid to the most vulnerable communities. Our clothes drive is supported by our festival club partners Donegal Changemakers and also our friends at the Donegal Intercultural Platform.”

The clothes drive will take place between 1pm and 4pm at Atlantic Stores in Ballyliffin. Items that are acceptable are new or used clean clothes, sheets, towels, curtains, shoes, bags, belts. 

Duvets or pillows are not accepted, though pillowcases and Duvet covers are. Those wishing to contribute are asked to bring items that are clean and bagged in refuse sacks and to only drop off clothes during the designated collection time.

Cash donations are also welcome and will be forwarded immediately to the charity partners.