As well as lots of big events and happenings in Bhopal, The Bhopal Medical Appeal also marked the 30th anniversary of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Disaster last week with several successful events in the UK. These included the annual ‘Music For Bhopal’ concert in Brighton on the 28th of November, a symposium on Globalization and Bhopal at SOAS University which included Ravi Rajan and Dr Vandana Shiva as speakers, and also a fundraising Gala at the London Assembly on November 21st, organised by London Assembly representative Navin Shah and the BMA, which has raised over £7000 for the charity!
Events for Bhopal held by supporters
We are a small charity and much of the work that we do would not be possible without the support and industry of those who support us and those striving for health and justice in Bhopal . To mark the anniversary many of our supporters have also been holding events and fundraisers of their own in and outside of the UK.
Fiona Case and her wonderful group of helpers rasied over £5000 for the BMA at a charity auction in Pilton, which featured rare signed memorabilia from Glastonbury festival and also an appearance by Glastonbury Godfather, Michael Eavis himself.
Scottish Friends of Bhopal, a charity who support the Brighton-based Bhopal Medical Appeal, held their own vigil with a piper playing a lament to the dead and several speakers including Laurie Flynn, co-chairman of SFOB, who saw the full horror of Bhopal first hand as a journalist with Granada TV’s World in Action.
Bhopal supporter and author Nina Joshi Ramsey has been donating the proceeds from the Limited Edition of the Advance Reader e-Copy of Lifewalla. The sale up until the end of December will still raise money for the Bhopal Medical Appeal. To find out more about Lifewalla, or to purchase a copy please click here.
On Dec. 2nd, a Bhopal supporter in Maryland, USA asked local Indian Restaurants to participate in a Benefit for Bhopal, with a host of restaurants pledging a small amount per customer that evening. So far over $1000 has been raised with some restaurants extending their pledges to the end of the month. For more information see the ‘Taste of India benefit for Bhopal’ facebook page.
Supporters of the BMA in Brighton held a Candlelight vigil at 6.30pm on the 2nd of December, at the steps of Brighton Town Hall to commemorate those who have died, suffered and lost love ones because of the Disaster.
Savraj Kaur, employee at the BMA, visited Bhopal over the anniversary and in solidarity with the Bhopali fasters held her own 30 hour water less fast. Savraj set up a JustGiving page and its was met with great response. If you’d like to donate to her fast please follow the link.
Our thanks go to Sav for her amazing support!
Other inspiring fundraising stories and supporter events over the anniversary have included:
Fundraising by Acton High School in London, who raised over £600 through cake sales, a football tournament and a dress down Friday, as well as talking at assemblies and raising awareness about Bhopal.
Restaurant Da Gino, in Ingolstadt, Germany have been generously donating 50 cents for every coffee sold. Visit their JustGiving page for more information and to donate.
A huge thank you goes out to all of those who have held events, fundraised or just taken time to remember the Bhopal disaster on the 2nd and 3rd of December.
If you are interested in holding an event or fundraiser, visit our fundraising page OR contact us here.
