Having seen the devastation to individual lives and families from war torn countries and extreme regimes, brought into our front rooms by the media and news, a small group of friends decided to take action.

We wanted to make a difference and felt we could do that if we focused on any one family who had been forced to escape their home country, in fear of their lives, to become refugees in another country. After suffering - not only fear - but also significant trauma and horror, but nonetheless surviving as a family unit, we wanted to offer security, hope and a future.

The aim is to raise enough money to be able to apply to the Home office in order to welcome, resettle and empower a refugee family into Kirkby Stephen - a unique Cumbrian community of approximately 2,200 people, with a local catchment of 5,000.

We presented the concept to our community organisations: Parish Councils, Rotary, Schools, Churches, Employers, WI, Community volunteer groups, etc. and have been overwhelmed by the positive support and encouragement we have received, many groups producing a letter of support. We are, therefore, going ahead with a Home Office resettlement application for a community sponsorship resettlement project.

As well as providing housing for the family, and two years of support, help and confidence building to become independent in the UK, we are committed to fund raise a minimum of £9,000 to support the family for two years. We have to raise this minimum amount before the government allow us to go ahead and resettle a family. We hope we can raise more, as expenses such as the requirement of the services of a professional interpreter for at least two weeks, can reach £2,000 alone.

Your money will be spent on family expenditure items, which may include:

Children's clothing/toys

Birthday presents

Language lessons

Tools to set up a business

Driving lessons

Family holiday

Transport costs - fuel, bus, train - to visit other refugee families in neighbouring towns

The special qualities of our community, which include warmth, compassion, help, care, generosity and friendship, will offer a positive experience for a refugee family.

Working in partnership with the charity Caritas Salford and the national support hub RESET, our fundraising can now begin.

See the Community Sponsorship resettlement video: https://youtu.be/85DRSAcKFn4