Letters (April 2010)
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Thanks from Common Ground
Dear Editor,
On behalf of East Area Asylum Seekers Support Group may I say thank you very much to Bishop Martin for making us a beneficiary of last year’s Christmas Appeal. We are extremely grateful for the donation of £2,558.00 towards our hardship support fund. It arrived at a very opportune moment.
In January this year we passed the tragic milestone of 10,000 payments. This means that more than £100,000 has been handed out to destitute asylum seekers. Some people have received £20 - a parent and child, for example – while others may receive two weeks’ payment if they have to travel some distance to collect it. We currently have around 65 people receiving regular payments.
Under Kevin Hunt’s leadership the project continues to grow stronger. We are seeing more people than ever – as general clients as well as for hardship – and we have just appointed a fundraising consultant to help us build for a more secure future. Also, our building is being redecorated.
Our thanks also go to all those who donated so generously. It will make a huge difference to the lives of the destitute asylum seekers who rely on us.
Paul Bagshaw
Administration, East Area Asylum Seekers’ Support Group