Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Four years ago I started out on an amazing journey that has changed mine and many others lives. Having watched the moving pictures on the news of the Syrian exodus I was moved to find out what I could do to help families such as these.

I started volunteering with Refugee Action’s Bradford office. I (and
a small group of others) organise trips and days out for families supported by Refugee Action to Wharfedale. In the last 4 years we have run over 20 days out in Ilkley and Burley-in-Wharfedale, we have met over 450 asylum seeking and refugee parents and children enjoying the beauty and friendship of the area and have welcomed families from all over the world, including Sudan, Iraq, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Congo, Burma, Pakistan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Morocco, Somalia, Libya,
Syria and Iran.

We have organised treasure hunts in local woods, taken families out onto Ilkley Moor, hosted craft days, played football and cricket, had a Christmas meal, utilised a local outdoor education facility, eaten well and enjoyed each other’s company on an equal footing.

Going through the asylum system is a very stressful time. People often comment about feeling very isolated and alone as they never get the opportunity to leave Bradford or meet new people. These trips give them breathing space, a chance to make good friends, experience the beauty of the countryside, but above all to feel welcome. Each of these days has been a joy to run, we have received a HUGE amount of generosity from our local community in running these events with churches providing their space free of charge, people making food for us etc however there is still a cost to each day out.

We want to keep these days out going for as long as we can, they make a difference to people’s lives. A quote from a mum who joined us on one of our days says it all:

Getting out of the city, and being in this beautiful place, I can breathe again. I feel human again. I don't have to be an asylum seeker just for these days." 

To help keep these life changing days going I am asking people to sponsor me, I have entered the ‘Chillswim Coniston 5.25 mile end to end’. This will be the longest Open Water swimming event I have undertaken, the distance terrifies me but with your generosity I will be able to keep going knowing I am doing something to benefit others. The swim takes place on 31^st August 2019.

If you feel you are able to sponsor me and keep these days out going, I will be hugely grateful and humbled. Please sponsor me an amount you feel able to, here are some suggestions to help you:

£5.39 – the amount an asylum seeker has to live on per day

£13 – the amount it costs for a family rail ticket from Bradford to Ilkley

£37.75 – the weekly allowance an asylum seeker receives from the Home Office

Anything you are able to give to help keep these days out going will make a difference.  In the words of one of our guests:

“Thank you so much, we always feel so
welcome and just like normal people again when we come to see you all.’

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.