Budding bards took to the mic at the weekend for the Poem-A-Thon held at Ye Olde Rose and Crown Theatre Pub, in Walthamstow, which raised more than £13,000 in aid of the MSF UK charity, which helps victims in war zones and natural disaster areas around the world.

In total, 48 poets read in an eight-hour marathon of poems, with some of the performers coming to London from other parts of the country, including Somerset, Lincolnshire and Cumbria.

There were still plenty of local speakers, such as members of the Poetry Society and regulars from the open mic sessions at the Poetry Café in Covent Garden.

Poet Lisa Kelly also made it to the event despite being knocked off her bike on the way, where she broke her clavicle and ended up being taken to hospital. Coincidently, the doctor who treated her had also worked for MSF.

Paul McGrane, the co-organiser of the event, says: “Everyone involved as readers, volunteers, donors, audience, or all of the above, is absolutely amazing, and we raised £11k on the JustGiving page, £885 in cheques, and £593 in cash donations on the day.

“Thank you to the Rose and Crown for donating the room for free and giving us a couple of bottles for our tombola. The room was jammed with people for most of the day and was a delightful surprise.”

To help support the charity, visit: justgiving.com/teams/PoemAThon