Residents are being urged to help develop fundraising activities in their local areas to support Syrian refugees.

Residents are being urged to help develop fundraising activities in their local areas to support Syrian refugees.

Lead councillors for each of Newham Council’s eight Community Neighbourhood areas have invited residents to join them in organising local activities to raise funds for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) - the United Nations Relief Agency.

The council said it will make funding available through its Let’s Get the Party Started community grants scheme to support each of these initiatives.

It will also be working closely with businesses and faith groups and seeking to encourage a range of local partner organisations to play their part.

Councillor Ken Clark, cabinet member for building communities and public affairs, regeneration and planning said: “As a council we will be doing all we can to support any refugees that come into Newham, but we know there is a strong desire across our communities to help the refugees now.

“Our Community Neighbourhood Teams are at the forefront of our work to bring local people together. These meetings will ensure our communities are at the heart of any events in their local areas, which will also help highlight the plight of the refugees.”

The council has already agreed to take in ten Syrian refugee families and has promised to provide the support they need to rebuild their lives and integrate into the local communities.

Cllr Clark added: “This is a borough with a rich, proud and positive history of community spirit and I know there are many people across Newham who will want to get involved and help to alleviate the intolerable suffering these families have faced.”

Fundraising meetings will be held across the borough between October 15 and 29.

For more information, visit newham.gov.uk