EVENTS will be held in York next week to mark the contribution of refugees to the UK.

Refugee Week is held around the country from Monday, June 18 to 24, and the celebrations in York are considered among the largest and most vibrant in the country.

Clea Grady, who moved to the UK seven years ago, is one of the organisers of the York events, and said they were important.

She said: “The fundamental reason behind the week is raising awareness and celebrating the contribution that refugees make to this country. On a personal level, York has been nothing but welcoming to me after I was displaced from my home in New Zealand as a result of the 2011 earthquake, and I hope to see that same hand of friendship extended to all.

“I know so many ‘adopted Yorkies’ - people who have come here for one reason or another and never left - and that’s one of the things that makes York such a special place. Through the week’s events, we hope to promote understanding as to why people seek sanctuary and come together as a community to celebrate everything that we have in common.”

This year’s Refugee Week features more events than ever before, including a children’s art competition to be held at York Mosque on Saturday, June 23.

The artwork on display is by children from schools and cub groups around York, as well as refugee children and young members of the Mosque, all aged between five and 16, and is based on Refugee Week’s theme of Different Pasts, Shared Future.

The artwork will be judged on the day by a panel including former Lord Mayor Cllr Barbara Boyce, Emma Taylor from York St John University, Alice Mullin from Karian and Box, Richard Corrigan from Dog Eat Cog and Faihaa Alnaser representing York Mosque, with prizes presented by Lord Mayor Councillor Keith Orrell.

Clea said: “This event is spirit-lifting, community-focused and a real highlight of the York week - so much so that it is being adopted by other cities for 2019.”

For more information on events during York’s Refugee Week, go to refugeeactionyork.org/refugee-week