A RECENTLY formed Launceston group supporting refugees is hoping to secure the funds it needs to apply for Charity Commission status — which would mean the town could welcome a Syrian refugee family to live here next year.

The Launceston Refugee Support Group has the long-term aim of supporting two refugee families so they can resettle in the town.

The group had its first public meeting in March, and the next ‘milestone’ will be securing the £800 needed to boost its funds to £5,000, so it can apply for Charity Commission status. It hopes to do this by the end of October.

The Launceston group has been inspired by, and benefitted from the support of, Bude Refugee Support Group. The Post recently reported the Bude group’s success in resettling a refugee family in the town. The Home Office has subsequently invited the Bude group to apply to resettle a second family in the town.

Launceston Refugee Support Group chair Frances Tippett said they intend to build on Bude’s experience and adapt it accordingly, with a target in mind of starting the application process by Easter to bring a refugee family to Launceston.

The Launceston group now has a fully operational committee, following its most recent meeting at Jericho’s on September 28.

Frances said: “Our next big milestone is to reach £5,000 in the bank so we can formally apply for charity commission status. We are trying to hit that by the end of the month. As soon as we do that we can get our Gift Aid registration number.

“Our long-term goal is to have Launceston be part of the overall Government scheme to support some vulnerable families. Realistically we are giving ourselves a target, we want to be in a position where we are starting the application process by Easter. If we can hit the goal by Easter, this time next year we could have a family with us.

“There are 65-million refugees in the world at the moment. That’s a huge number. That becomes even more shocking when you realise half of those are children.

“Just because we are down here in Cornwall and it might not be directly affecting us in the everyday, it’s affecting our politics in the everyday. We live on the same planet and it’s about shared humanity.”

It is hoped a series of events, including a quiz night at the White Hart on Friday, October 27, will help some way to securing the £800.

Frances expressed her gratitude to the wider community for its support.

As well as receiving generous donations — including a computer, the group has had an offer of accommodation and business space for a refugee family from a private landlord. Frances added: “It’s a really interesting offer and just fantastic. There are lots of meaningful things coming forward.”

The group will soon meet with the local authority to discuss the best way of reaching its target.

Frances said: “Cornwall Council have been really supportive. I think they have really learnt from the Bude experience that communities can do it for themselves. I think they are now trying to support groups. The schools locally as well have been brilliantly supportive.

“When I started doing this it was about wanting to make a difference. The personal benefit is being connected with people in your own community and having people become friends. It’s not just about the long-term goals and helping — doing this kind of work blends people together.”

The group’s meetings are open to everyone, whether they share the mindset, or, as Frances said, ‘if they aren’t sure about our aims and want to ask questions — they are very welcome’. “This is about it being the whole community,” she said. Meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month, usually in the Liberty Suite above Jericho’s.

To find out more, visit http://lrsg.org.uk, email [email protected], or search for LauncestonRSG on Facebook.