Student fundraising fairs conclude with more than 100 prizes in Western Thrace
Four fundraising fairs organised by senior students of the İskeçe Minority Secondary School and High School (Xanthi) have concluded in Western Thrace, with more than 100 prizes awarded in a final draw held in Gökçeler village on October 24.
The traditional events were organised in cooperation with the school’s Parent-Teacher Association to help fund a week-long end-of-year trip for graduating students. Prizes included a brand-new 125cc motorcycle, an iPhone 17, tablet computers and smartwatches.
The fundraising programme began in İskeçe (Xanthi) before continuing in Şahin, Ketenlik and Gökçeler, attracting strong interest from the Western Thrace Turkish Minority.
Four events bring students and the community together
The first fair took place over two days at the İskeçe Minority Secondary School and High School sports complex. The programme continued in Şahin on Saturday, October 17, followed by Ketenlik village square on Sunday, October 18, and concluded at the Gökçeler village market on Saturday, October 24.
Food, drinks and decorative items were offered for sale at the four locations. Students, parents and volunteers worked together to organise the events, which brought together members of the local community around a shared fundraising goal.
More than 100 prizes awarded in final draw
A major attraction was the prize draw, with tickets sold in advance to support the students’ fundraising efforts.
The final draw in Gökçeler was broadcast live on the students’ Instagram account. It opened with remarks from Ozan Ahmetoğlu, chair of the school’s Board of Trustees; Cemile Onbaşı, president of the Parent-Teacher Association; and Yasir Kavas, chair of the fair organising committee.
More than 100 prizes were awarded, including a new 125cc motorcycle, an iPhone 17, tablet computers and smartwatches.
Following a thank-you speech by Kavas, the fundraising marathon ended with a group photograph and a brief fireworks display.
Community leaders and local organisations show support
The fairs attracted participation from school trustees, Parent-Teacher Association representatives, teachers, students, parents, business owners and local traders.
Mustafa Trampa, mufti of İskeçe (Xanthi) and president of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board, also attended. Ali Tosun, vice-consul representing the Consulate General of Türkiye in Gümülcine (Komotini), joined the events alongside other consulate staff.
Other attendees included İskeçe MPs Hüseyin Zeybek and Burhan Baran; regional councillors Fatih İsmailko, Salih Yörük and İbrahim Amuca; Friendship, Equality and Peace (FEP) Party leader Çiğdem Asafoğlu; Zeynep Tevfikoğlu, president of the Association of Western Thrace Minority University Graduates; Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu, president of the İskeçe Turkish Union; and Caner Dayı, vice-president of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers’ Union.
Representatives of other minority institutions and organisations also took part.
Supporting students through community solidarity
The annual fundraising fairs serve a practical purpose by helping graduating students finance their end-of-year trip. They also provide an opportunity for students, families, local businesses and community organisations to work together.
With the final event in Gökçeler, this year’s four-fair programme has concluded, continuing a tradition that combines student fundraising with community participation in Western Thrace.
