Move to bring festive joy to asylum seekers

A FUNDRAISER has been launched to help asylum seekers and refugees in the north of Glasgow celebrate Christmas.

Rev Brian Casey is looking to raise money to buy Christmas presents for those in need. So far, nearly £2000 has been donated by generous locals.

Rev Casey said: “In Springburn and the north of Glasgow we have a large number of asylum seekers and refugees who have no hope at this time of year.

“They live side by side with local people who have little or no money to celebrate Christmas. As the Parish Church, we would like to provide a gift for their children and a Christmas party to bring some festive cheer in an otherwise dark time which would also help to bring together locals and asylum seekers, building support for each other.”

The campaign comes after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon pledged her support for a campaign to stop two asylum seeker brothers from being deported from their Springburn home.

Maqsood Bakhsh fled Faisalbad six years ago with his wife Parveen and two teenage sons Somer and Areeb after suffering persecution as a Christian.

They have been refused refugee status and are threatened with eviction by the private firm Serco that manages accommodation for the Home Office. ONE of Scotland’s leading health and social care charities launched its Box of Hope Appeal to help homeless youngsters. this Christmas.

The group are collecting essentials for young people to put together boxes with items such as toothpaste, socks, gloves and a hot water bottle.