THE Launceston Refugee Support Group (LRSG) are on the cusp of welcoming a refugee family to the town, but have a major hurdle to cross before they do so — finding a suitable property.

During a recent Launceston Town Council meeting, Roger Creagh-Osborne, vice-chairman of LRSG, informed councillors of the upcoming shipments of aid being sent to those in need and updated them on the support group’s progress.

He also asked them to don their thinking caps and use their local knowledge to suggest any suitable rented properties in the town which could be used to house a refugee family.

Mr Creagh-Osborne said: “I am delighted to say another load of supplies is going out via Open Hearts Open Borders. The items have been sent to Saltash but we need funding to be able to dispatch it. We will be putting out an appeal for that soon.

“We’ve been so impressed by the support we have been given by the town so far, but Launceston does have a historic reputation for housing refugees in the town so it isn’t surprising.”

He said LRSG had taken inspiration from the Bude Refugee Support Group who welcomed their first family last year. He said: “We need significant fundraising to happen. Bude started when it was big in the media and subsequently brought a lot of attention to their cause. We have been working closely with Cornwall Council, who initially wanted families settled in Truro, but are currently in the process of identifying a suitable family to be settled here.”

He expressed his hopes that the council, although possibly unable to provide financial support, may be best placed to suggest suitable accommodation in the town that would suit the needs of a refugee family settling in Launceston.

He said: “The rent will be paid for three months whilst the government go through the process of matching a family to be resettled — that is one defined as being willing and ready to resettle. The biggest problem is finding housing. We as a community group can top up funding but we are looking for a rented property at around the £600 mark. If anyone knows of such a place, typically they look for a three to four bed property, then we would love to hear from you.”

Councillors agreed to try and think of suitable accommodation in the town and thanked Mr Creagh-Osborne for updating them on the group’s progress.