Thank you for visiting ASAP's fundraising page.  Friends and supporters of ASAP are walking on 14th May 07 to raise more money for ASAP. 

ASAP is the only legal advice agency in the UK specialising in asylum support appeals, defending destitute asylum seekers's legal rights to food and shelter.  For more information about ASAP's work, please see below. 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: London Legal Support Trust, who is hosting this event, will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you

ASAP's current funding will expire in June 2007. We are hoping to raise as much money as possible on 14th May 07 so that we can continue our vital service to asylum seekers. Please give generously!  Thank you very much for your support.

Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP)

www.asaproject.org.uk

Company limited by guarantee : 04763838

Registered charity : 1105625

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Asylum Support Appeals Project (ASAP) is a charity organisation working to reduce destitution of asylum seekers by defending their legal rights to food and shelter. Our service ensures that asylum seekers have access to competent legal advice and representation at the Asylum Support Tribunal. 

ASAP's work

We do this through our work as a second-tier advice agency for voluntary sector advice agencies and refugee community organisations who give advice to asylum seekers.  Our Legal Advisors also provide free legal advice and representation at the Asylum Support Adjudicators twice a week. 

With the help from the Big Lottery Fund and other grant making bodies, ASAP started operating in June 05 in order to safeguard the rights of this most vulnerable group of individuals in the UK today. Every year we represented about 200 appellants at the Asylum Support Tribunal and provide training sessions and workshops for over 200 voluntary sector advisors. 

Why do we need ASAP?

In 1999, the government decided to revolutionalise asylum-seekers’ housing and support by establishing the National Asylum Support Service (NASS).  Under this new scheme, asylum seekers who require accommodation now face compulsory dispersal to the regions outside London and receive financial support which is set at 70% of income support.  Currently, around 54,000 asylum seekers are supported by NASS.  In London, 13,000 receive support from NASS with 12,000 receiving cash-only support. 

While there is a right of appeal to the Asylum Support Adjudicators where support has been refused or withdrawn by NASS, no public funding is available for legal representation for asylum seekers at these hearings.  As a result many appellants attend their hearings unrepresented and unadvised, leaving them unable to defend themselves adequately against possible destitution and homelessness.  ASAP was set up in order to assist these appellants so that they can exercise their legal rights. 

Our latest report, Failing the Failed?, shows that over 80% of decisions by NASS to stop or refuse support for destitute refused asylum seekers contain errors or misapplication of law or their own policy.  It is unacceptable that asylum seekers have no access to competent legal advice and representation when challenging these decisions.  The report is available from our website at www.asaproject.org.uk. 

For more information, please contact us on 020 8684 5873 or email at Eiri@asaproject.org.uk.  Many thanks.