A fundraising lunch has generated crucial income for groups assisting refugees and those without permanent homes.
The gathering took place on March 7 at Exeter Hall in Kidlington and was arranged by Councillor Dorothy Walker, chair of Cherwell District Council, as part of her continuing fundraising activities during her time in office.
Money collected will go to Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, and Asylum Welcome – groups that deliver vital assistance and support for some of the county’s most at-risk inhabitants.
Councillor Walker expressed her deep appreciation for all who came to the fundraising meal and who have backed her fundraising activities over the past year.
She noted that Homeless Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Homeless Movement and Asylum Welcome are all performing essential work, helping vulnerable individuals and strengthening the wellbeing and resilience of local communities.
With appropriate assistance, those seeking sanctuary or dealing with homelessness can not only achieve safety and security, but frequently go on to accomplish remarkable things.
The occasion featured personal accounts from people who have directly benefited from the charities’ support.
Councillor Walker remarked that at the meal, attendees heard the moving stories of two speakers who had personal experience of reconstructing their lives thanks to these remarkable local charities.
She said it is an honour to fundraise on their behalf during her term as the council’s chair.
One speaker at the gathering discussed his experience of being homeless and how help from Homeless Oxfordshire assisted him through an extremely challenging time and enabled him to rebuild his life as a musician and hopeful poet.
Another spoke about arriving in Oxford as a refugee and the part that charitable help played in enabling them to achieve stability and the self-assurance to create a thriving enterprise.
Guests also heard from Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, which coordinates the yearly Oxford CEO Sleepout.
Councillor Walker, alongside councillors Chris Brant and Lesley McLean, collected over £1,900 for the charity through the sleepout.
The meal was provided by Damascus Rose Kitchen, a social enterprise established by Nuha from Syria together with a collective of Syrian women.
The venture began as a modest pop-up operation and has since expanded into a successful business, offering Middle Eastern cuisine and assisting refugee women in the area.
Money was collected through ticket sales and a raffle, with the final total to be disclosed at a later time.
Councillor Walker intends to keep fundraising for the charities throughout the remainder of the local government year.
She will hand over her selected charities with their cheques at the yearly council meeting on Wednesday, May 20.