This week's devastating, fatal fire at Grenfell Tower in west London has attracted worldwide attention and shaken many of us to the core. We're shocked and heartbroken at the tragic, needless loss of life, and our thoughts are with the victims and everyone else affected by the incident.
Kindhearted Londoners, particularly in the surrounding west London community, have come together to offer shelter, sustenance, clothing and other useful items, and support to survivors, many of whom have lost everything; and people all over the country have donated to online fundraising pages.
Many of the nearby drop-off points and help centres have been so overwhelmed with donations that they've stopped accepting new items because of the labour required to organise them. So until support workers begin accepting donations again, what can we do to help survivors? There's donating money directly, of course, but here are some other suggestions...
Buy a zine
Illustrator Laura Callaghan is donating 20% of the money made from all today's sales to the victims. Bag her colourful latest zine (£8) and some super-sexy T-shirts, patches, prints and greetings cards while you can.
Meanwhile, Girls Club, a feminist zine made by and for women, is donating 50% of sales of its latest issue to the victims. Get your own 84-page copy for the bargain price of £6 and do some social good in the process.
Eat like a queen
Michelin-awarded chef, Adam Simmonds, is hosting a fundraiser at his restaurant, The Test Kitchen in Soho, in aid of the tower's residents. You'll be asked to pay as much as you like for your meal, with all proceeds donated to the Just Giving Families of Grenfell Tower appeal. “This is a shocking tragedy and this is my small way of supporting those affected by the fire," said Simmonds. Book online or by calling 020 7734 8487.
Go out out
gal-dem, the award-winning magazine written by women of colour, is donating all proceeds from its mega-popular club night, Sugar, on Saturday 17th June in east London, to the survivors. Catch Jetsss, Chloëdees, Melle Brown and the site's resident DJs until 3am for less than a tenner. There will also be a collection pot for victims at the event.
Get inked
Been waiting for the perfect excuse to get a tattoo? Parliament Tattoo in Islington is hosting a charity flash day on Sunday 25th June between 11am and 7pm, with all proceeds being donated to the victims. "Please come along, get tattooed and give generously to help the families affected by this tragedy in our city," the studio urged its Instagram followers.
Get on your mat
Dedicate this Sunday's yoga practice to a good cause. Sputnik Yoga and Fit Birds Fitness will be hosting a free class at Crystal Palace Park at 10am on Sunday 18th June. Attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the victims of the event's Just Giving page.
There will also be a free Sunday Service class at London Fields at 1pm on 18th June, with all donations made going to the survivors.
Have a laugh
A host of world-famous comedians are teaming up to headline a special one-night-only benefit at London's Hammersmith Apollo on 27th June. Catch Michael McIntyre, Jo Brand, Alan Carr, Katherine Ryan, Russell Kane and many more all under one roof for just £50 plus booking fee. All proceeds will go to the survivors.
Comedian Al Murray is also stepping up to the plate. He'll be donating all the profits from his Pub Landlord's Summer Saloon gigs at the Underbelly Festival this weekend to the cause. Tickets are a mere £27 plus booking fee. Underbelly will be matching the contribution up to £10,000. Even more reason to head down to the South Bank.
Buy art
Many artists and creatives have generously offered to donate the proceeds from sales of their work to those affected by the tragedy. Artist Sara Pope is selling special-edition screen prints for £25 through the Jealous Gallery. Call its north London outpost directly to get your hands on one. All money raised will be donated to the cause.
London From The Rooftops, aka photographer James Burns, has produced a large amount of work from Grenfell Tower over the years and has already raised over £2,000 for the victims by auctioning his prints. Now, he's offering to make more prints available to anyone who makes a minimum donation.
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