Herne Hill residents are raising funds to resettle a second refugee family in SE24 – a year after the successful scheme saw an Iraqi family move into their new home.
£15,000 is needed for the Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees group to apply to rehome a new family via the Home Office, and cover the initial cost of helping them start a new life in south London.
Founded in 2017, the group of 20 volunteers helped the first family to move to the area find a house, English lessons, school places, access to a GP and medical treatment, and helped set up their new home through the community sponsorship scheme.
So far, 344 refugees have been rehomed in the UK through community sponsorship which involves a community making an application for refugees to be placed in their area – with evidence they can provide the requisite support.
On November 1, music venue Off the Cuff will be holding a fundraising event with performances from funk and soul bands Talking Strawberries and Liquid Crystal, plus a life auction, food stall, and opportunity to hear about the organisers’ plans.
Rachel Griffiths, one of the founders of Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees, said: “We were staggered and truly delighted with the generosity and support of Herne Hill residents when we helped to welcome the first family from Iraq.
“People have donated so much of their time and money to bring refugees facing horrendous realities in their own home towns to a new home here with us.
“The first family are thriving and so grateful for this chance, and we would love to now bring a second family to the area.
“But once again – we need your help! Please come to Off the Cuff and have a boogie and a bid on our auction. Bring your friends.
“It will be a fun night, and you will be helping to making a huge difference to a family’s life. We can guarantee there’s no better way to spend your Friday.”
Off the Cuff’s Music Night for Herne Hill Welcomes Refugees will be held on Friday, November 1, at Arch 654, 301-303 Railton Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0JN. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Tickets are £11 and available at: https://bit.ly/2VvMUwU
To donate to the campaign, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/herne-hill-welcomes-refugees