For those of us in the leafy South East of England, the idea of ‘camping’ most likely prompts thoughts of fun and adventure. We may have early memories of camping out in our gardens as excited youngsters, or maybe later on in our lives of camping out at music festivals, or of walking holidays in the hills and mountains.

But for refugees fleeing their country, or for “internally displaced persons” fleeing conflict within their country, taking shelter in a camp having lost their home means finding some temporary (and very basic) relief, accommodation, food, water and sanitation, warmth, medical care and human comfort - and for the most vulnerable it can mean the difference between life and death. Many of the Syrian refugees now being resettled in the UK under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme that we are supporting will have spent time in a refugee camp, under tents of canvas or plastic sheeting. Others will have been given temporary shelter in towns and villages in safer areas.

As the theme for this fundraising event for Sevenoaks Welcomes Refugees we’ve chosen the idea of spending one night on the 8th July 2017 in a tent as a symbol of our support for the refugees that will be moving into our community.

We are proudly supported by the organisation allowing us to Fund raise on their grounds; The Quadrangle Trust. They also work in partnership with the Refugee Council and Refugee Youth to run residential trips for young people during the spring and summer months.