LOCAL supporters of refugees are planning a number of activities to celebrate World Refugee Week to draw attention to people fleeing from persecution, conflict and natural disasters.
Evesham Vale Welcomes Refugees group is planning its first AGM to coincide with the week which runs from Sunday until June 24 and has invited a refugee from Syria, Dr Abdul Taroun, to speak.
Dr Taroun was in the building trade before having to escape from Syria due to the war raging in his home area at that time.
However the industry here is different from Syria so he has since qualified to become a senior lecturer in Business Studies at the University of Worcester, with responsibility for the MBA and MSc courses. Fortunately his family have now been able to join him.
The meeting is being held at Evesham Baptist Church in Cowl Street on Monday from 7.30pm.
Rev Dr Edward Pillar, minister of the church, said: “We are greatly looking forward to Dr Taroun’s visit and also EVWR’s first Annual General Meeting. He demonstrates the kind of contribution refugees can make to our country.
All are invited to attend this inaugural AGM, and to join us as local supporters of refugees.”
Rev David Haslam, secretary of EVWR, said: “We are delighted Worcestershire County Council earlier this year agreed 50 more refugees from Syria and surrounding war-torn countries should come to our county later this year.
“We don’t yet know if any will be settled here in the Vale but if they are we will be ready to assist. This is a Government-sponsored scheme and no public housing is involved’.
The group is holding its second clothing collection for refugees stranded in northern France, Italy and Greece next Saturday from 10.30am to 12.30pm in All Saints Parish Church.
Donations of good quality clothing are welcome, along with vegetarian non-perishable foods. Any donations can be taken to the church off Market Place
EVWR is a member of Worcestershire Welcomes Refugees which brings together the six Welcome Groups in the county.
Call Rev Haslam on 07963 254828 for more.
