Four young Sudanese refugees are receiving a college education, thanks to the support of a Cumbrian charity.

Bootle Refugee Aid Cumbria UK (BRACUK) works tirelessly to help people in war-torn countries across the world.

Numerous sponsors have now come forward, through the charity, to enable four young people who live in a refugee camp in Uganda to carry out vocational studies.

The group of four, aged between 16 and 25, have moved five hours away to Lira to study for six months.

Three of the students – two females and one male – are learning tailoring, while another male has taken up computing. They are set to move back to the Nyumanzi Refugee Camp, where around 39,000 people live, to share their new-found skills.

Former Copeland resident Adrian Wilson visited the camp to distribute supplies and also transport the students to the college.

He said: “They were so grateful. Their lives are now secure, particularly for the men. For so many of the men the only opportunity is for them to go to south Sudan to fight. They have now got different opportunities ahead.”

BRACUK paid for supplies such as towels, bars of soap, and a secure case for the students.

The young people have been sponsored by people in Cumbria and further afield.

BRACUK’s aim is to “help as many people as it can” says chairman Joan Capp.

During this latest visit, BRACUK bought and distributed items for the camp, including sports equipment and food.

Joan said the aim of providing recreational activities is to help the refugees – including children – who have seen terrible atrocities.

BRACUK also helped a 92-year-old blind woman, who had no home and was found lying on the floor. The woman was not part of a tribe in the camp and so had been excluded by those around her. Sponsorship has paid for a hut and a mattress for her.

Adrian said the woman’s plight “broke his heart”.

BRACUK said there is a need for mattresses in the camp. These cost £10 each.

Adrian says the charity, especially Joan, “sees beyond the television screen” and aims to help as many people as possible.

To donate towards mattresses and supplies, contact Joan Capp on 01229 718248.