I WOULD like to thank everyone who attended last Wednesday’s meeting to discuss York’s response to the refugee crisis (The Press, September 18).

I organised the event to bring together voluntary and community groups from across the city and help co-ordinate a local response.

It was a very positive meeting with all those present confirming that they stand ready to help.

We agreed that a central charitable fund should be set-up which people can donate to and that offers of help should be encouraged.

Groups also committed to working together to co-ordinate our efforts in the coming weeks.

We are currently awaiting details of the Government’s scheme and what funding will be available to help local councils. Once this is in place, we can finalise our response.

What the meeting showed (along with Saturday’s rally and the numerous offers of help from residents) is that York is ready to play its part and do its bit to help those innocently caught up in the humanitarian disaster in Syria.

You can find out more as things progress by visiting our webpage at www.york.gov.uk/refugeesupport or by emailing refugeesupport@york.gov.uk to help.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Liberal Democrat deputy leader of City of York Council, Heath Moor Drive, Fulford, York

 

THOUGH the desperate plight of the refugees from Syria and other war-wrecked countries is difficult even to watch on television – I had to look away from an image of a baby vomiting from the tear-gas illegally sprayed into Serbia by Hungarian riot police – this is an opportunity to win hearts and minds as our politicians so often chant.

If we show our empathy for those who have had the terrible ill-fortune to have been born in a war-ridden country, we are not only doing what we, I believe, have to, but we are creating good feelings between peoples and religions.

Rose Berl, Vine Street, York