Student Actions for Refugees (STAR) are organising an upcoming Refugee Christmas Appeal by collaborating with the Leeds Supermarket Initiative and Essentials in the Union building.

All three will be working together to create packs that include essential items such as food, toiletries and learning equipment for refugees and asylum seekers in Leeds. The appeal starts from Monday 30th November, and will run for two weeks.

In order to raise money for the packages, blue tokens will be located around the store each worth £1. Those who are shopping in the store will be welcomed to take a token to the tills with their shopping.

All proceeds from the bought tokens will go directly to purchasing the package items. On the “Refugees Christmas Appeal” Facebook page, organisers have described it as an initiative that aims to “take matters into our own hands and directly help people in need this winter.”

STAR are also holding a vigil outside the Union on Thursday 10th December in the afternoon. The vigil will form part of Human Rights Week, which takes place on the week commencing the 7th December. It will be in remembrance of refugees who have died crossing the Mediterranean, as well as raising awareness for the ongoing crisis. The event will feature a speaker and also music from an Eritrean musician.

(Image: Ellie Parkes)

Shamima Noor