CUMBRIANS are being invited to donate to a support fund for refugees arriving in the county after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Money donated to the Welcome Fund will be available to community groups supporting refugees and those coming to Cumbria to help ensure they get the support they need to adapt to their new life in Cumbria.
As the county prepares for its first arrivals, many locals are keen to support them but may be unsure how.
Andy Beeforth, chief executive of Cumbria Community Fund, said: “We want to make people aware that the Welcome Fund exists as an established means of supporting refugees in the county.
“We know that as Ukranians settle in Cumbria they are going to need a lot of support and the communities and groups offering them homes will need to access funds to help them.”
The Welcome Fund supports all refugees in Cumbria. It is open to donations from the public and proceeds from fundraising events, as well as from CCF’s regular donors.
Andy continued: “The Foundation already supports the work of refugee support groups in Cumbria and will be working with them and other partners to assess the needs of people and families as they arrive in the county.”
Retired Carlisle firefighter Andy Bezuszko, 65, who has family in Ukraine, says the refugees will need help to adjust when they reach Cumbria.
“Getting a room is just the start of it,” he said. “I think many of them will arrive with just a bag. Although many I imagine will speak English, or basic English, they will need help with language so they can make connections with the local community. Depending on where they stay, they will need help with transport.”
He added: “The generosity of local people has been amazing, so many people have already donated money and goods to Ukraine. The generosity of British people is never in doubt, and I think we will keep needing it now.”
Andy’s late father came to Cumbria as a displaced person aged 22 after the Second World War. “My father never saw his parents again. But he had many happy years here,” he said.
Money can be donated to the Welcome Fund on https://cumbriafoundation.enthuse.com/cf/welcome-fund.
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