THE Bude Refugee Support Group recently hosted a gala night at Budehaven Community School for Children in Need, as well as to launch their own community sponsorship scheme for families fleeing the conflict in Syria.

The evening, which took place on Friday, November 18, got off to a swinging start, as Budehaven’s Samba Band played the hundred-strong audience into the event. The programme was a mix of thought provoking performances and crowd-pleasing fun.

Bude Junior School opened proceedings with a touching rendition of ‘One and a Million’, a song about how everyone is connected.

Dance ensemble, XSNRG, followed, performing their modern piece, ‘The Long Walk’, devised last year in response to the refugee crisis. The troupe was a group of 25-strong, and included some ex-pupils who returned especially for the evening.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious stew, cooked up by Jake Courtenay, and home-baked cakes provided by members of Bude Refugee Support Group. Local band, the Crafty Butchers, got people on their feet, rounding off the evening with a sense of celebration.

Yasmin Rowland, from Bude Refugee Support Group, said: “We are delighted with the warm response from the people of Bude to this event, and the supportive reaction to the plight of refugees generally.

“We wanted to bring everyone together to celebrate what can be achieved by a community willing to help others facing challenges that are difficult for us to imagine.”

The event raised over £800 to be divided equally between Children in Need and Bude Refugee Support Group.

For those interested in supporting the local initiative to welcome two Syrian families, escaping the conflict to the safety and peace of Bude, visit the group’s Facebook page, Bude Welcomes Refugees, where regular or one-off donations can be made, and where more information on how to get involved can be accessed.

The group needs to reach their £20,000 target quickly. This could be the best Christmas present to give. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to contact the group’s chair, Mary Whibley, at [email protected].