OVER 100 refugees attended a Welcome to your City event at Brunton Park at the weekend.
The collaborative event, hosted by Carlisle United Equality and Diversity and Mental Health groups along with the Community Sports Trust on January 28, follows on from last year’s successful events at Tribe, Bitts Park.
Over 100 refugees from all over the world, people who have fled war and persecution and are now living in Carlisle came along to Foxy's Restaurant at Brunton Park to enjoy food, entertainment, sports, games and information about life in Carlisle.
Stalls included Carlisle College, Multicultural Cumbria, University of Cumbria, Pride in North Cumbria, ICan Health and Fitness, Penrith and Eden Refugee Network and Cumbria Pride as well as Carlisle Refugee Action Group and Carlisle City of Sanctuary, part of Carlisle One World Centre.
Representatives from the local fire and police service were also present.
The event served to offer another warm welcome to the men, women and children in hotel accommodation, refugee families from Afghanistan and evacuees from Ukraine who have come to make their new homes in the city over the past year.
Mayor of Carlisle, Cllr Mike Mitchelson, said: "I am pleased to take part in this event, as it is important for those who have come to Carlisle are made to feel welcome to the city.
"We continue to encourage people to be part of our communities and feel they have a part to play. These kind of events are important as they bring together people in a positive and inclusive way.
"It also gives them a chance to meet up direct with various organisations who are available to provide help and support," he said.
The event was funded by Carlisle City Council and Cumbria County Council.
Nigel Clibbens, chief executive of Carlisle United said: "We are delighted to host and support the event.
"It is an important cross community initiative with lots of groups involved all working together. We are a welcoming city, with welcoming people and a supportive community and the football club is at the heart of that. So it’s right we are involved and playing a part to make a difference where we can," he said.
Nigel Davidson Carlisle United EDI & MH officer & fan director said: “We are so proud to be able to host this event to welcome the most recent people seeking asylum and refugees into the Carlisle area.
"Some of the stories relating to how these people have found themselves here in the first place are harrowing and at Carlisle United we are pleased to be able to give them a warm welcome and assist in a small way by helping to make their lives more comfortable and safe.”
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