A CHARITY is appealing for donations as they continue to lend a helping hand to men, women, and children arriving in the city.

Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG) reports there has been an uptake in asylum seekers in recent months, with around 200 people currently in the city.

The independent charity is working to prevent newly-established refugees from becoming homeless after their official asylum support ends. Refugees have just 28 days to leave asylum accommodation and arrange alternative living arrangements once their status changes.

CRAG co-ordinator Jon Greenwood said: "Since the Rwanda bill was dumped, the hiatus on decisions has ended. Now, people are being granted their right to remain.

"This means that asylum seekers transition to refugee status, at which point the Home Office’s responsibility to provide housing ends. They must then find housing in the area and become residents of Carlisle," he said. 

CRAG, established to support new arrivals, provides essential assistance such as clothing, activity programs, help with housing searches, home furnishing, and support with Universal Credit applications and job searches.

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The majority of asylum seekers in Carlisle are from Syria, Afghanistan, Georgia, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, with the latter group potentially growing in the near future.  

Last week, the charity helped a Syrian family settle into a house.

“The house had bare walls and no carpet, but thankfully, we managed to furnish it fully," Mr Greenwood said. 

“Most people who arrive here generally know no one, the generosity of people from Carlisle has made all the difference in the world to them.

“I’ve seen people moved to tears when we turn up with stuff.”

CRAG is appealing for donations of beds, kitchen appliances, crockery, pans, lamps, cutlery, and clothing to assist those “starting with nothing.”

"As people replace their old things with the new, let's have your old ones, that’s all we’re asking," he said. 

“If you ask people they say they have had a warm welcome here in Carlisle.

Crockery donations handed into CRAG. Crockery donations handed into CRAG. (Image: JGreenwood)

"Most people have been wonderful, although there are some who don't know about it or aren’t used to seeing people from different nations. Sadly, that's the reality.

"However, on the whole, people have been warm, generous, and supportive with their time, donations, and attitudes.

“A massive thank you to everyone who has donated but also for that continued support.

"For example, a lady dropped something off this morning, I’ve seen her for a couple of years just dropping stuff off and wishing us well, it’s nice that people still have these guys at the front of their minds," he said. 

Donations can be dropped off 24/7 in the collection box at the rear of Carlisle Enterprise Centre, CA2 5BB.