Appeal for donations to help Valley's refugees

Katy Marshall, of The Citizens Advice Bureau office in Clitheroe, said: “We have received many offers of support for the few refugees who have arrived locally.

“It is exceptionally heartwarming that people in the Ribble Valley want to help.

“People are initially provided with accommodation and minimal support, around £5 per day as an asylum seeker, but they are especially vulnerable when their immigration status changes to ‘refugee’ and can suddenly be left without any money or housing support.

“We anticipate that there will be a real need for help to meet crisis. People who are allocated housing here can end up facing particular difficulties because Ribble Valley and Longridge are far from support services based in Blackburn and Preston. This is a new experience for our team, but we are learning how to best deal with it.”

The CAB will be working in partnership with Clitheroe Salvation Army, Ribble Valley Borough Council Housing Needs and the Refugee and Asylum Seeker Community Project to use the fund to help people with basic living and support needs.

Katy added: “Any donation, no matter how small, will be put to good use. This fund could, we hope, prevent hardship for refugees living here.”

Donations can be made to RV Refugee Crisis Fund, Ribble Valley Citizens Advice Bureau, 19-21 Wesleyan Row, Parson Lane, Clitheroe, BB7 2JY or contact Katy Marshall on 01200 428998 on any week day except Wednesday. Clitheroe Salvation Army on Lowergate in Clitheroe are also happy to accept donations.