Given these strange and scary times, we've decided we don't want any presents or cards this year. Instead, please consider making a donation to the Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers.

SDCAS is a local charity that has provided crucial life-saving relief, support and education for asylum seekers and refugees in the London Borough of Southwark for the past 23 years.  During the COVID-19 crisis the centre’s vital work has become more difficult, complex and costly, but never more important.

Refugees and Asylum Seekers are a particularly vulnerable group with limited government support. Many are homeless, destitute and have limited access to healthcare. Even before this crisis, they were struggling to access the most basic of human needs - somewhere safe to sleep, getting enough to eat and seeing a doctor.

The SDCAS team (including Pamela's sister, their Treasurer, Caroline McGill) are working around the clock to protect these most vulnerable members of our society. In the current climate, this means innovating how that support is provided - through more community outreach to provide vital basic support, such as food, cleaning and personal hygiene products; as well as leveraging new technologies to help them stay connected to provide information and services.

In light of the pandemic, many of their usual supporters and partners are facing financial difficulties, making fundraising all the more challenging and important. SDCAS therefore needs our funds more than ever at this time.

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.