Bradford is only one of three cities in the UK to be formally recognised as a ‘City of Sanctuary’. It welcomed the first group of Rohingya refugees with more than 300 of the “world’s most persecuted minority” now calling Bradford home.
Bradford was also at the forefront during the Syrian refugee crisis and in 2015 re-homed half of the Syrian refugees in the UK in Bradford.
To recognise this work and to support further much needed humanitarian work to support refugees, an event will be held in Bradford on Saturday 14 October, to bring together various groups and individuals who’ve devoted their time to tackling the humanitarian refugee crisis across Europe and beyond over the last few years.
The event, will be split into two segments and will take place at the New Tyke, Thornton Road with a day full of activities from entertainment to family fun activities. The first segment will consist of family friendly activities and will take place from 2pm till 5pm, which will be a free for all event to attend. The early segment of the event will include guest speakers, music, poetry, craft and food stalls, including the opportunity to take part in the critically acclaimed public art installation – the Paper People project.
The second segment will commence in the evening from 7pm and is a ticketed event, which will include guest speakers, spoken word, food and drink, with guest DJ sets from Jaf Lister, Dean Anderson and Jonny Wilson.
Guest speakers confirmed include inspiring aid workers such as Lea Beven, Claire Moseley, Caroline Kerr, Nizar Neezo, Hafsa Sabr, Kate Sutcliffe, Sarah Fenby-Dixon and critically acclaimed playwright Javaad Alipoor.
Tickets for the evening event cost £10 and can be purchased from www.yorkshireticketshop.co.uk with all proceeds shared between six refugee and humanitarian charities.
Event organiser Jim Innes said: “This will be a really great day that will hopefully educate people and raise a lot of money for some fantastic refugee charities. What’s been really amazing is going around Bradford and encountering people from every postcode, from every part of the city really supporting this and wanting to get involved with the Paper People Project too. It’s a great public art project that will be on display for everyone to enjoy from early 2018”
For further information visit the ‘Come together for refugees’ on Facebook.