Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I support Freedom from Torture, a national organisation dedicated to providing direct clinical services to survivors of torture who arrive in the UK, and also striving to defend their rights. I hope that celebrating my 70th birthday with a concert for family, friends and other supporters of Freedom from Torture will prove to be enjoyable for all and at the same time, a practical way of supporting the work of this unique organisation.

Freedom from Torture has been workng for more than 30 years to
help survivors of torture. SInce its start-up over 50,000 individuals have been referred for help. Thanks to the dedication of staff and volunteers – as well as scores of passionate supporters and funders – thousands of torture survivors have been able to rebuild their lives in incredibly difficult circumstances.

The need for help is increasing, and the widespread dispersal of asylum seekers across the UK has led FfT to open new centres, such as the one in Birmingham in 2009 that serves those living in Birmingham and the surrounding areas. These centres are there to meet the needs of victims of torture,  for assessment and psychological therapy.

Freedom from Torture also seeks to protect and promote the rights of survivors of torture. At a time when such rights are under so much threat, this remains a significant and challenging task. Freedom from Torture is one of a coalition of refugee charities and campaigners that on 15 July 2016,  called on the new Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, to formally recognise the right of those fleeing violence and persecution to seek refuge in the UK.

The needs of survivors, adults and children, often isolated and distressed, therefore remain pressing.  The capacity of Freedom from Torture to respond to this need depends on maintaining and increasing funding. I hope therefore you will want to join me in trying to further its work through donations and support. You can read much more about the work of the organisation at https://www.freedomfromtorture.org

You can find more information about the concert on the events page on the Freedom from Torture website: https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/events/9160

Even if you cannot attend the concert on the day, a donation will be welcome. You can donate either through the events page or you can donate here, on my JustGiving page.

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 and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible
donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I
raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

I hope you will be able to come to the concert, but if not, thank you anyway for taking the time to read this page.

Many thanks

Elisabeth Al-Khalifa