Get more than your usual items at the Star Boot Sale

Dave from Blur with album, getting ready for the Star Boot Sale.

When: 22nd May 2016, 11am – 4pm

Where: The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London

£: Tickets cost £13.50 (plus fees). Tickets must be bought in advance

What is it?

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has teamed up with stars from music, art, film and sport to raise money for the Syrian refugee crisis.  The Star Boot Sale will take place on Sunday 22nd May 2016 at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane in London.

The event is the brainchild of Blur’s drummer, Dave Rowntree, and will see some of the UK’s most well-known faces donating their personal items for charity, including the Stone Roses, Hot Chip, Blur, comedian David Walliams, ex-Spice Girl Mel C and artist Dom Pattinson.

Confirmed guests at the Star Boot Sale include KT Tunstall, Dave Rowntree, Hot chip, Phil Daniels, Dom Pattinson, Badly Drawn Boy, David Arnold, Mel C, and Rumer.  There’ll be all sorts of items on offer from clothes and shoes, to music and books.

Fancy a Franz Ferdinand signed EP?

But don’t worry if you can’t make it down to London on the day.  The Star Boot Sale will also include an online auction of items donated by celebrities including Coldplay, Stephen Fry, Ant & Dec and actor Paddy Considine. There’ll be items ranging from signed records to unique artwork by some of the UK’s leading artists, available to purchase through Shpock, the boot sale app.

This fun event does of course have a serious purpose.  In 2015, 50 families fled Syria every hour of every day.  More than half of the population of Syria has fled their homes because of the conflict.  Jordan is hosting a staggering 635,000 refugees, meaning one in every 10 people there has been displaced.  Almost all of them are living outside of formal camps and have little access to even basic services.

Speaking of a recent visit to Jordan, Dave Rowntree said: “Nothing can be more difficult than having to uproot your life and your family and leave everything behind.  But that’s what this war has done to hundreds of thousands of Syrian people whose lives are now on hold.

Billy Bragg has a clear-out for the sale.

“The Refugee Crisis is in the news every day, but many of us feel powerless to help.  By taking part in the Star Boot Sale you can make a real difference to the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.  It will be a fun day out with shopping, entertainment and food stands – but most importantly, all funds raised will support the IRC’s vital work in the region.”

The Star Boot Sale online auction goes live on Thursday 19th May at 8pm and bidding will close at 8pm on Sunday 29th May.

The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.  IRC teams provide health care, infrastructure, learning and economic support to people in 40 countries, with special programs designed for women and children.  In Jordan the IRC reaches thousands of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians and provides primary and reproductive health care, health education and referrals for severe conditions.  Each mobile clinic helps up to 18,000 refugees, providing free of charge medicine.

More info: starbootsale.com