THE group ‘Bude Welcomes Refugees’ gathered at Rosie’s Kitchen, Crooklet’s Beach, on Wednesday, June 22, to mark Refugee Week.

The group was able to answer questions about their feasibility study regarding helping two Syrian refugee families to rebuild their lives here, as well as letting everyone know all the other things we are doing to help with the refugee crisis.

Mary Whibley, of Bude Welcomes Refugees, told the Post: “It went very well but it is a shame that people seem to be getting almost emotionally fatigue as this isn’t something that can be kept at the forefront of news with things like the EU referendum happening.

“It seems the plight of the refugees has been pushed back, but there is no end in sight and there is a need for our continued support.

“It was good to see fresh faces at this meeting, our usual meetings are early in the day and I think that the evening timing of this one attracted more people. We are in need of people to join our cause and help with things like IT and getting sponsorships.

“Really, it is a case of, the more who join the better, so we can spread the word and take away the fear of there being an ‘invasion’, as many seem to have convinced themselves there will be.”

The evening rounded off with a few moments of silence and a candle-lit vigil.

There are things the Bude Welcomes Refugees group needs help with, including IT support and sponsorship. They are also looking for people to join or even donate to help them collect vital resources for refugees.

For this month`s refugee donations the public collected 18 bags of clothes and shoes and a further eight bags and boxes of food and hygiene products or toiletries.

If anyone would like to get in touch they can do so via the groups Facebook page ‘Bude Welcomes Refugees’ or by calling Mary Whibley on 01288 331424.