My name is Mollie Chambers. I am a lower sixth pupil at Cheltenham College. I am organising this fundraising concert for Firefly International and I would love to invite you all to attend in person or you can watch online either during or after the event by following this link:

https://youtube.com/live/97wDp9w7JHM?feature=share

Firefly is a charity close to my heart, having been set up initially by my cousin, Ellie Maxwell in 1998. Myself and a school friend are volunteering this summer at a youth camp run by Firefly in Brčko, Northern Bosnia. All proceeds from the concert will go directly to Firefly international:

https://fireflyinternational.org/

The fundamental aim of Firefly is to support children affected by war and create safe spaces or them to thrive.

Ellie and my Dad visited Mostar in 1995 following the cease-fire at the end of the Balkans war. Mostar had been at the epicentre of much of the Yugoslavian conflict. From the start, Ellie’s exceptional personality stood out with her natural warmth and great sense of humour. She quickly became fluent in Serbo-croat and worked with enormous enthusiasm and energy in the youth centres set up the charity, Terre des Hommes with whom her father was working at the time. The children in the centres came from different ethnic factions, torn apart by the conflict. The centres provided a safe haven for the children, regardless of their ethnic background and an environment within which their emotional recovery could begin. The seeds were sewn for a life-long devotion of Ellie’s to the Children of Bosnia. Ellie set up the charity, Firefly, in 1998, as an undergraduate at Edinburgh University. She arranged youth camps, art workshops and festivals in Brcko, Bosnia. Ellie very sadly died in 2009 from cancer at the age of 32. Ellie won a variety of awards for her involvement with Firefly, including being presented with Young Achiever of the Year by the Queen. Ellie ended her life at a tragically young age. However, the legacy she created in improving the lives of so many children in Bosnia and across the globe, lives on. With your help, Firefly can continue to fund a fully equipped youth centre in Brcko, Bosnia as well as continue to support children affected by war in countries all over the world. You can read more about Ellies's remarkable life in her obituary in The Independent:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/ellie-maxwell-aid-worker-who-founded-the-charity-firefly-international-1688480.html \u2028\u2028

Firelfy continue their work in Bosnia and are also supporting projects in Syria/Turkey and Palestine.

Firefly International works to build peace in divided communities around the world by supporting children and young people from different backgrounds to form friendships and mutual respect. It brings young people together in positive, fun and life-affirming activities ranging from music-making to theatre groups. These young people go on to become ambassadors for peace within their own families and communities both today and as adults. In this way Firefly is tackling conflict now as well as planting the seeds of peace for the future. Children and young people play a vital role in preventing violent conflict and building peaceful societies. Where young people form friendships that cut across social, political or religious boundaries, they can and do help to avert conflict and assist societies to recover from war. Where young people from different backgrounds are supported to celebrate what they have in common this can and does break down tensions and distrust and help warring communities to reconcile and unite. Without Firefly thousands more children would be growing up in conflict. Many communities would still be at war with each other. Lives would have been lost and futures condemned to poverty and lack of opportunity.

In 2016 Firefly helped to design, fund and set up a youth centre in Antakya, Turkey for Syrian refugees. Firefly International helps victims of the Syrian conflict become leaders of their own recovery. Early in 2016, Firefly increased our commitment to Syrian refugees, helping to design, fund and set up a youth centre in Antakya, Turkey. However the devastating earthquake in southern Turkey and northern Syria in February caused massive loss of life, destruction and heartbreak. Firefly for Syrians mourns the death of staff, neighbours, friends and families, and of children they have taught. They are determined to rise above this appalling tragedy and rebuild the educational services they have been providing. The surviving children, who have suffered so much, deserve no less.

Firefly offers hope and support through providing a way back into education and a plug for the lost years of learning due to repeated displacement and conflict.

Firefly International is a small charity that makes a huge difference to children's lives. Working with local partners, Firefly provides safe spaces for children affected by war and conflict. Enabling them to learn and thrive even in the most challenging of circumstances.

I hope you will be able to support their cause by enjoying an evening of music from Cheltenham College Chapel, either in person or online.

Thank you so much for your support.

Love Mollie x