ILKLEY and Burley-in-Wharfedale communities have been delighted to welcome refugee families living in Bradford to three days out in Wharfedale over the summer.

The visits have been made possible thanks to a partnership between local residents, the action group Wharfedale Refugee Response, and the Bradford support group, Refugee Action.

After a successful fundraising initiative, over 30 families and 80 children from many different countries including Iraq, Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Namibia, Congo, Malawi and Burma, visited Ilkley and Burley-in Wharfedale where they explored Ilkley Moor, played in the riverside park, had fun at Dan’s Den at Christchurch and climbed at Clip’n’Climb in Ilkley. They also took part in the Burley Summer Festival with a teddy bears’ picnic, fun activities at Burley Library and a walk round the village following the scarecrow trail.

Wonderful hospitality was given by St Margaret’s Church, Christchurch, All Saints church in Ilkley, and Salem URC in Burley, providing food, shelter from the weather, and lots of games and activities for the children as well as a warm, friendly welcome for them and their parents. The families reciprocated with a cookery demonstration of popular Middle Eastern food in the kitchen at St Margaret’s.

Christy Bischoff from Refugee Action in Bradford said: “Our Children and Families project in Bradford has been working with asylum seeker and refugee families in Bradford since 2003. Due to financial circumstances and lack of opportunity, many of the families we work with will never see any other parts of Yorkshire outside of Bradford city. This partnership has been such a privilege to be a part of. Working together with people from Ilkley and Burley has meant that some of those seeking sanctuary here in the Bradford District have had a chance to see some of the beauty of Yorkshire as well as feel welcomed by local English people, and some of the local English people have been able to meet refugees and see how much they have to offer to our communities. We hope to continue developing our work together.”

The families all enjoyed their visit, with one lady, Mary, remarking on the train journey home that she had been afraid to leave the house after the Brexit vote, but that she “couldn’t have had a better day, as everyone was so friendly and welcoming.”

Support from the community has been overwhelming and special thanks go to Northern Rail, All Saints’ school who raised money by having a non-uniform and games day, St Margaret’s church, Ilkley Round Table, Tesco Ilkley, Dan’s Den, Clip ‘N’ Climb, Salem URC, Burley Library and Pizza One, as well as all the individuals who donated money, prepared food and helped out on the day.

The project team, made up of Ilkley residents, Felicity Tomblin, Rosalind Beeson and Sue Staton, and Burley residents, Sarah O’Mahony and Sarah Bruce, are planning more activities in the future to continue the partnership.

To donate visit the fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BradfordActionforRefugees