*** Raffle now over, but feel free to continue donations for such a worthy cause**

Last night I watched a harrowing documentary on BBC three, Branded A Witch. I was so shocked and devastated by the religious practices in the DRC that I would like to raise as much as I can to donate to a charity working to help children affected by witchcraft branding.

Please watch the documentary if you can: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01swd7g/Branded_a_Witch/

Children as young as 3 are suspected of witchcraft for displaying the normal behaviour of children: bed wetting, nightmares, tantrums and general bad behaviour. They are blamed for the misfortunes of their family (lack of money, things breaking, family members becoming ill) and are taken to churches who are paid to exorcise their evil spirits.

The churches make money from abusing these innocent children: setting them on fire, cutting them, whipping and beating them, forcing them to drink hot palm oil, giving them palm oil enemas, starving them and in some cases sexually assaulting them. If the children aren't taken to the church for these proceedures they may be cast out onto the streets to fend for themselves. Either way it's horrific and it shouldn't be allowed to continue.

My childhood was full of happiness and innocence and my work as an artist is a result of that. I am auctioning my best seller, the beloved Blue Tit, to raise money for the charity Afruca who work to promote the rights and welfare of children in Africa and UK, upholding the belief that religion and culture should never be an excuse to abuse children. Please help me support their good work.

I ask a minimum donation of £2 to enter the raffle to have a chance to win the Blue Tit and to help my chosen cause, but please consider donating more. A Blue Tit retails at £195 so you're getting a wonderful deal if you win! 
AND REMEMBER to add your name, anonymous donations cannot be entered into the draw cause I'd have no idea which 'anonymous' was which!!

I will draw a winner at random on Monday 10th June 11am UK time, announcing on my blog: http://abigailbrownscreatures.blogspot.co.uk/

...and facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Abigail-Brown-Textile-Artist-wwwabigail-browncouk/198152930229402

Many thanks,

Abbie x