Many of you will be aware of the plight of people who are seeking asylum, particularly when they have been refused asylum, often due to a lack of evidence and the climate of disbelief within the immigration service. This leaves many men and women without any entitlement to support, not allowed to work, are legally allowed to be in the UK, but cannot be removed due to various legal reasons. These are the people who are the most marginalised and excluded in our society today. They are left to fend for themselves and most rely on friends who allow them to sleep on their floors, settees, etc, with gaps when they have to sleep rough wherever they can. Read More

The Mary Thompson Fund

supporting refugees and people seeking asylum in the Tees Valley

As many of you are aware, the Mary Thompson Fund provides packs of food and toiletries to refused asylum seekers who are homeless and destitute. Sally, one of our Volunteers based at the North of England Refugee Service (NERS) provides up to 90 bags each week and £5 cash (£10 cash for people with health needs) and has a 2 month cycle to include occasional items like toothpaste, toothbrushes, washing powder, deodorant, etc, as well as the regular fresh fruit and veg, plus tins of pulses, tomatoes, fish, bags of rice, potatoes, pasta, etc. Read More