Brighton gig raises thousands of dollars for Australian bushfire relief

Australian trio Paris Yacoubian, Karly Sawyer, and Rachel Wagner, met in Brighton and decided to move to the city.

More than $3,000 Australian dollars (£1630) was raised during the Bushfire Beats event at North Laine Brewhouse, 27 Gloucester Place.

Three Australian Brightonians organise bushfire benefit concert

Profits from a special ‘Kanga Brew’ beer, brewed by Laines Brew Co., were donated to the cause during the event, which featured musical talent from Brighton and beyond.

Organisers Paris Yacoubian from Sydney, Karly Sawyer from Albany, and Rachel Wagner from Melbourne, originally met at Baggies Backpackers Hostel and decided to stay in the city after ‘falling in love’ with Brighton.

“As Aussie expats, home often seems a lot further away than just a plane ride,” Paris said.

“When we saw the coverage of the bushfires and heard the stories from our friends and family, we felt overwhelmingly helpless.

“We couldn’t attend our cities’ fundraisers, or join knitting parties to make joey pouches, or help with food collections, but we wanted to do something.

“When the Aussie media announced that what was really needed now was money, Rachel suggested we hold a fundraiser in Brighton to send some of that much needed cash back home.

“As big fans of the Brighton music scene and surrounded by talented musician friends, we decided to host a live music event in order to raise money.”

Funds raised during the Bushfire Beats event will benefit Australian charities responding to the current bushfires; Bendigo Bank National Bushfire Disaster Appeal and Wildlife Victoria.