British Embassy Fundraiser Raises almost 13,000 GEL for Flood Victims
On June 30, British Ambassador Alexandra Hall Hall hosted an awareness and fund raising event to help those affected by the tragic floods of June 13 in Tbilisi.
The fundraiser was attended by the Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi and economic expert Irakli Lekvinadze and the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia, David Lezhava, whose Ministry has been working on forming a concrete assessment of the damage, as well as members of the British-Georgian business community, British nationals and close associates of the UK living and working in Georgia.
“We are here to pay tribute to the victims of the flood,” said Ambassador Hall Hall. “We are here to show, on a very personal level, how much this beautiful country means to us. And for those of us who have lived here [a time] and appreciated the Georgian hospitality, it’s to share in your sorrow as you work to rebuild your beautiful city.”
Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi Irakli Lekvinadze thanked both those present and the international communities for their emotional and financial support during the hard times following the tragic flooding which left 19 dead, three people missing and 160 families without a home.
The event, which treated those present to a moving musical tribute by the Tbiisi English Speaking Union’s children’s choir and the deep poignant tones of Georgian male singers, Urmuli, as well as a delicious BBQ buffet, raised 7,052 GEL and 800 USD in cash donations while 3,000 GEL will be transferred directly to a special state account. The HIPPO Fund raised 2,160 GEL. The donations will go in three directions: to the state account for victims and the rebuilding of the city, the Dog Shelter, and the HIPPO Fund.
"We would like to once again thank everyone who made this event possible and donated; and also to those who helped bring it all together," the British Embassy Facebook page announced today. "The Hippo Fund; folk company Urmuli, supported by the British Georgian Chamber of Commerce; British Corner Children's Choir; Katie Davies and Georgia Today; Rod McKenzie, Pam Kemsley, Pauline Totterdell and English Book in Georgia for catering and many more."
More on this story in this Friday's edition of Georgia Today.
Photo by David Khizanishvili showing Deputy Mayor of Tbilisi Irakli Lekvinadze, British Ambassador Alexandra Hall Hall, and the Deputy Finance Minister of Georgia, David Lezhava.