Huddersfield Pakistani Community Alliance in Thornton Lodge has signed up as the 50th member of the dynamic local initiative known as ‘Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary’. Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary, which is run by local volunteers, helps to make the town a welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. In just seven months, local organisations have shown just how enthusiastic they are about putting this into action.

Town of Sanctuary Chair Ann Bettys said, ‘This is fantastic news for us. We have all sorts of organisations – from allotment associations to sports clubs – promising to involve people seeking sanctuary in their activities. The Pakistani Community Alliance, which does great work with people of all ages, is just the sort of organisation we want to see involved.’

Mumtaz Ali, Manager of HPCA, said ‘We feel proud and privileged to be part of the Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary as an organisation representing an ethnic minority. We know what’s involved when someone makes that journey from their home country and what a difficult decision this is. For someone who has nothing, sitting down for a chat over a cup of tea can stay with them for ever.’

Supporters of Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary will celebrate this important milestone at an international family ceilidh at Greenhead College on March 19th, 4.30- 8.30pm. With delicious international food, dance, music, song, mask making, facepainting and balloon modelling there will be something for everyone. Tickets are available from Huddersfield Methodist Mission or by calling 0798 2079451, for £5 in advance (includes free food). Entry is free for Under 16s and people seeking sanctuary / refugees. Entry is £6 on the night.

It is less than a year since the first meeting at the Methodist Mission to see if there was enough support to set up Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary. We have done a great deal in that time. We have a very good steering group, with people bringing their skills and enthusiasm and hard work together to make people in Huddersfield more aware of sanctuary seekers and refugees in our communities. There are people who are used to working with the media, planning events, looking after the money, working with sanctuary seekers. From a personal point of view meeting and becoming friends with people seeking sanctuary has made a huge difference to how I see my own life as I get to know more about theirs. (read more by clicking on the title above)

Radio Leeds broadcast a live interview on Sunday 20 June with Ann Bettys, Richard Byrne and Mani Dana, a sanctuary seeker from Iran. They were there to talk about the work of Huddersfield Town of Sanctuary and the official launch in particular.