Albanian Refugee "Lucky" To Have Settled In Teesside
An Albanian refugee who’s on the run from a dangerous blood feud says he’s ‘lucky’ to have settled in Teesside.
An Albanian refugee who’s on the run from a dangerous blood feud says he’s ‘lucky’ to have settled in Teesside.
The father-of-three, who wants to remain anonymous, was forced to flee after facing attack from gangsters.
He said: “I have been in a lot of troubles.
“I’m always like a rabbit, why is he looking at me, who is this, why this?
“You cannot even sleep.”
Two weeks ago, he received his asylum seeker status, and is now residing in Stockton and looking forward to his future.
He said: “My hopes and dreams? I really don’t have an idea.
“I am so blind for the moment, I have no idea.
“I would like to be able to get the opportunity of school and things.”
He calls the people of Teesside ‘lovely’ but refugees and asylum seekers like him could receive an even warmer welcome.
Last week, Redcar and Cleveland Council agreed to recognise the region as an ‘Area of Sanctuary’, which is a commitment to making the area more welcoming to people fleeing their homeland.
Recognising the positive contribution that refugees and people seeking sanctuary bring to the Tees Valley, the council has committed to taking practical steps to welcome and include refugees in its activities.
Pete Widlinksi is the Chair of the movement, he told TFM the Tees Valley already has a great reputation for helping refugees.
He said: ”It’s always been a great place for people to come.
“It’s recognised nationally as a place with very low hate crime, it’s not unique, but it’s quite unusual.
“It’s about getting people to make a public statement in support of asylum seekers.
“Asylum seekers are welcome here.”
Cllr Ian Jeffrey, ward member for South Bank at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said:
“We are so pleased this motion was received with such support and we will be actively seeking ways of supporting refugees and those fleeing from persecution wherever and whenever we can.
“The council will now look to meet with the Tees Valley of Sanctuary group to discuss ideas on how it can turn its pledge into practical action.”