Ukrainian refugee event in Scarborough
There's a special meeting for existing hosts and those interested in becoming one
Last updated 16th May 2022
If you are hosting an Ukrainian refugee in Scarborough, or you want to, you can find out more at a meeting today.
An information event takes place at 12pm at Newby and Scalby Library.
It has been arranged by the Scarborough Sunflower Appeal and there is also going to be an update from a member of North Yorkshire County Council.
Iain Butterworth co-ordinates the appeal through a Facebook page and said: "It's a meeting that will hopefully bring together guests and sponsors of Ukrainian refugees, either currently in Scarborough or currently stuck in the visa system and will hopefully be making their way to Scarborough very soon. It's also for potential sponsors.
"The appeal is progressing. We had a family that I had placed with a sponsor that arrived on Wednesday of last week. They're now settling into their new home. I have a number of other sponsors and guests visa applications are almost there.
"A representative of North Yorkshire County Council's Home for Ukraine scheme will be present and they'll be giving everybody details of what their involvement is, what they've done to date and how they can assist both sponsors and guests when the guests arrive.
"I've had a couple of cases of people who have now got visas but for one thing or another, the sponsor has been unable to host them. So we've been urgently and desperately trying to find new sponsors who can offer them a place.
Iain gives us an update on the two families he has been hosting: "One of the fathers joined the family and he came over because he had a medical exemption. They were really pleased to see him. I picked him up from Leeds Bradford Airport and they're getting to know the area, the shops and places to visit. They're settling in.
Here is the link to the Sunflower Appeal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/699911357671085/