AN exhibition of art created by Syrian children raised over £700 in just four days in Monmouth last month. The project is part of a local response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Syria, and all of the money will go back to the artists, aged between 12 and 18.

Over 150 people, including pupils from Osbaston Primary School, visited With Love from Syria, which showcased around 60 drawings and paintings created by Syrian children living in the Al-Abrar refugee camp in Lebanon at Shire Hall, Monmouth.

Shire Hall manager Aileen Atkinson said: “We were really pleased to have been able to support this very worthwhile cause. The exhibition obviously moved our visitors and we’re thrilled that we helped raise so much money to return to the young artists.”

The exhibition’s appearance in Monmouth was organised by local not-for profit collective iNEED. The group are working to collect aid to deliver directly into Syria to help some of the millions of adults and children displaced by conflict.

The money raised goes towards a total of £1,900 that the touring exhibition has raised in Newport and Monmouth alone so far. It was organised by Baraa Ehsaan Kouja, a Syrian student studying at the University of Exeter. Baraa will take the money to the families involved and plans to share a video the children have agreed to make with the http://fromsyriawithlove.com website.

iNEED’s founder Natasha Cadman says: “This exhibition was a brilliant initiative. We are so desperate to get help to where it is most needed. We have a container load of clothes and essential supplies ready to go to Syria this month and we will soon be organising venues for people to drop off more supplies.”

Anyone who can provide a venue anywhere in the Forest of Dean or south Wales for people to leave donations can get in touch with the group via their website at www.refugeesineed.org.uk

iNEED is a Not for Profit collective, working with registered charity One Nation providing crisis support to refugees and migrants. They are committed to creating meaningful connections with people in the UK and refugees through organising events, skill sharing, providing emergency accommodation, lobbying MP’s and delivering outreach projects in school.