Ringwood students attend global vigil

Students from Ringwood School in Ringwood, Hampshire travelled to London to join the global vigil on the 3rd anniversary of the Syria crisis. Thousands of people around the world stood together for the #WithSyria campaign from London to Moscow and Washington on Thursday 13 March.

Nelson’s Column was one of several iconic locations including the Lincoln Memorial and the Eiffel Tower, which were bathed in light by the candlelit vigils. Each one saw a Banksy light projection using his artwork which he has redesigned to feature a young Syrian girl holding a red balloon, and the release of red balloons, carrying messages of hope to Syrians.Millie Wells 16, is in the Global Campaigners group in the school and has been helping to organise campaigning in the school for Syrian refugees. She said, “We have been campaigning in the school and wanted to come up today to support Syrian refugees, especially children, because if the bloodshed continues there is a risk of losing a whole generation.”

Lucy Hines, a year 12 student said, “I feel that it was important to travel all the way to London so that we can demonstrate that the Syrian people are not alone and people from the UK stand with them. It is important to draw attention to what is happening and make people are aware of the campaign so that as much support is provided for Syria as possible.”

Syrian voices have joined a coalition of 115 humanitarian and human rights groups from 24 countries, including Oxfam, Save the Children, Amnesty International, Hand in Hand for Syria and the International Rescue Committee, to simultaneously launch a pledge for world leaders to commit to making this the last anniversary marked by bloodshed.  The campaign is calling for urgent action to ensure Syrians in need – including civilians in areas under siege – can access aid, and for the voices of ordinary Syrians to be heard and heeded in reconvened peace talks.

Millie continued, “I feel so passionately about trying to help and to do something outside of school. I was a spokesperson at Trafalgar Square and was interviewed by a Spanish news team so was really pleased that I could play a part in raising awareness globally.”

Oxfam’s chief executive Mark Goldring said, “Syria has been devastated by three years of conflict.  More than 2.5 million Syrians have fled the country and the lives of millions more have been shattered. The international community has shown it can unite on Syria, but it must be consistent to ensure there is a halt to the bloodshed and an adequate aid response. Countries must give generously to the UN’s humanitarian appeal for $6.5bn, which is severely under-funded, and reconvene inclusive talks on the future of the country as a matter of urgency.”