People who are seeking asylum are not allowed to work and do not receive benefits.

The Mary Thompson Fund (named in memory of Mary who most of you will know, and that assists refugees and people seeking asylum when in hardship and destitution), are holding their annual raffle. This year is an Easter Raffle with a £100 first prize with lots of other prizes to be won. The raffle will be drawn on the 5th April – just one week before the Easter weekend, so it could be an extra Good Friday for the lucky winners.

Tickets at £1 each can be purchased by ringing 07910 218 622 and will be widely distributed by the trustees, Trudie Thompson, Rita Morris, Kath Sainsbury, Veronica Wallace and Pete Widlinski.

Please help all those unfortunate people who have been forced to flee their home countries for fear of persecution, often leaving loved ones behind, and experiencing hard times waiting for their decisions with very little financial support – but of course many receiving fantastic emotional support and friendship from Teessiders.