Middlesbrough Unity Day following riots
Organisations and faith groups are coming together at a Unity Festival on the Dormans club field, following riots in the town last month.
A number of organisations and faith groups along with Middlesbrough Council are coming together in the town to organise a Unity Festival on the Dormans club field following the disturbances on 4th August 2024.
Gordon Rowntree, Dormans Club Secretary, said: “The event is primarily about uniting the local community by coming together for a day of fun and laughter and rejecting the hate and racism we have seen over recent weeks. We will also be raising money for those people affected by the riots and whose houses and property have been damaged.
"We would very much like local businesses to advertise the event by displaying posters in their window and, if possible, donating a prize for the raffle and tombola that will be held at the event. We are also arranging a food bank so any donation of non-perishable goods would be welcome.
"The event will have all different types of music, dancing, stalls, food, inflatables, rides and games for the kids and lots of other things including the police, fire service etc. We have contacted MFC and hope that they can become involved in some way. We would encourage stall holders to contact the club if they wish to set up a stall on the day along with any musicians or artists who could give up 30mins or so of their time.”
Kassim Ali, another of the organisers, said: “I wanted this event to go ahead to show TS1 residents that the community is behind them.
This event is important to show unity, and that the Middlesbrough community are stronger together. Let’s move forward to show the real Boro”
Eilis Car, from Teesside Irish Society, said: "I’ve lived in the Boro for 40 years and as an Irish immigrant I’ve always felt welcome here, so I always try to extend that welcome to immigrants that I meet.
"Middlesbrough was built on immigration so lets all be proud of that heritage and use this Unity Festival to show the rest of the country what Boro is really like UTB”
Phillipa Storey, Deputy Mayor, said: "Its fantastic that the Dormans Club and the community have organised this event. Its so important that we show that hate can’t win”
Any donations of prizes or non-perishable food can be dropped off at the Dormans Club, Oxford Road, Middlesbrough and requests for stalls or volunteers can call the club on 01642 823813.