Refuweegee

Refuweegee is a charity, launched in December 2015, to provide assistance to refugees as they arrive in Glasgow, Scotland.[1][2] The charity provides welcome packages to every refugee that arrives in the city that include essentials like food, blankets and toiletries, items that are emblematic of the city like a “People Make Glasgow” umbrella, and finally a personal welcome letter written by a local.[1][2] The charity provides other services, for example, it has provided Glasgow City Council’s “Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance (TARA)” service with, alongside other groups, digital devices to survivors of human trafficking.[3]

The charity has received donations from Tunnock's,[2] and Glasgow City Marketing Board.[2] Celtic F.C. Foundation has made a donation each year since 2017,[4] and as of 2021 continues to make annual donations.[5]

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, the charity also started providing support packages to people who were struggling to get by.[1] Glasgow's North East Food Bank donated stock to be included in these packages.[1] As demand for their support increased, the Scottish Government provided funding to allow the service to continue.[1][6][7]

The charity was found by Selina Hales in response to the news of refugees of the Syrian civil war being taken in and homed in Glasgow.[2] In recognition of her work Hales was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Lois Mackenzie (22 January 2021). "Refuweegee: Glasgow charity stepping up to support their city". The Herald. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e Susan Wilson (15 December 2015). "Syrians to be welcomed to Scotland's biggest city with 'refuweegee' packs containing letters from locals". The National. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  3. ^ "Human Trafficking and Exploitation Newsletter" (PDF). Scottish Government. October 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  4. ^ "Refuweegee donation from Celtic FC Foundation". Celtic Football Club. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Christmas Appeal supporting charities around the country". Celtic Football Club. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  6. ^ "Immediate Priorities Fund: organisations funded". Scottish Government. 8 June 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Funding to prevent destitution during Covid-19". Scottish Government. 16 November 2020. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
  8. ^ Isaac Callan (8 February 2019). "Founder of Refuweegee recognised with the same fellowship as Sir David Attenborough". GlasgowLive. Retrieved 25 December 2021.