Can you help?

logoOne picture. One sad image of a small boy. He could be your child. Your neighbour’s boy. Your student. All of a sudden, in one relatable moment, we cannot turn away from a sight no one wants to see.

The inspiration

YA author Patrick Ness didn’t just look. He took action. His September 3 pledge to match up to £10,000 in donations to aid Syrian refugees now stands at an astounding £421,677.

He hasn’t done it alone. Dozens of authors, like John GreenCressida Cowell and Anthony Horowitz, have taken turns matching funds.

Canada helps

Now Canadian children’s authors Robin Stevenson and Sarah Harvey are rallying Canadians. They’ve created a CanadaHelps page to collect charitable donations for Doctors Without Borders (MSF). It’s safe and secure–you even get an electronic tax receipt. Robin and Sarah want to collect $10,000 by Thanksgiving.

I’ve made a donation. Here’s what I’m doing to sweeten the pot. I’m raffling off a copy of my new book Betting Game. If you make a public donation to this CanadaHelps page, and leave your name in the comments on this post, I’ll add your name to the raffle. I’ll draw the winner at my book launch October 24.

How you can help

  • make a donation, large or small
  • ask your publisher or employer to match your donation
  • share this post on social media (FREE, but helpful)
  • donate a book or your art to the draw (and mail it to the winner)
  • tell the MP and candidates in your riding that Canada needs to accept Syrian refugees (FREE, and so important)

One picture made us care. Now we need to help.