HELP launch - version 2.0
On June the 20th Mikkeller marks the World Refugee Day with the relaunch of the pale ale HELP, which is the result of a partnership between Mikkeller and the Danish Refugee Council. All proceeds from the beer go to Syrian refugee children in Lebanon. The beer has been redesigned beautifully by our own Keith Shore and we are very proud to present its new appearance
The relaunch will take place at WarPigs Brewpub from 4-8PM. Here we will also auction off items from Mikkeller HQ’s ‘Wall of Fame’ (old/rare Mikkeller items) and the auction will also include beer, merch and other fun stuff. So stop by WarPigs, enjoy a beer and support a good cause.
HELP will be released at all of our DK locations on the day at 4PM. You can also support the cause by purchasing one of our limited HELP posters from the Mikkeller web shop or Mikkeller General Store. The beautiful poster will also be sold at the charity event at WarPigs.
Background
HELP was first launched two years ago. The project was inspired by a photo series in Aftonbladet by Swedish photographer Martin Wennman. A series of heart-breaking images showed sleeping or exhausted refugee children without a bed, a roof over their head, a homeland and in some cases without parents.
“It was too much to bear. We can debate refugee problems all we want, but when one sees these photos it is obvious what the essence is and how vast the contrast is between our own children and lives,”said Mikkel Borg Bjergsø.
The microbrewery contacted the Danish Refugee Council to explore specific ways to help refugee children. This resulted in an agreement to support the DRC’s work in creating child-friendly spaces in Lebanon.
Children with trauma
Lebanon is a country that is home to the most refugees. Many of them live in poor conditions and have experienced terrible things in their past. Children and women are especially vulnerable. Therefore, the Danish Refugee Council created five permanent child friendly spaces and also operates 70 mobile locations, where Syrian refugee children are able to play, make new friends, take classes and get help and support from experienced adults - a kind of kindergarten.
“The Syrian children are forcibly pulled out of their daily lives and many have experienced war too close. These child friendly spaces give children a respite, where they, in a safe environment, can be allowed to be children and play without ’grown-up’ worries. It makes a world of difference for the children. The Danish Refugee Council is deeply thankful for the support we have gotten from Mikkeller. Without this kind of support, we could not help as many children and adults who are forced to flee as we do today,” says Kathrine Schmidt, project leader for The Danish Refugee Counsel.
All profits from the beer ’HELP’ will go to The Danish Refugee Counsel’s work with these child friendly spaces. The beer is distributed and sold worldwide and brewed every year to continue the support.
Magnus Wennman’s photoseries in Aftonbladet http://darbarnensover.aftonbladet.se/
