Tell your MP that Home Affairs Minister Tony Bourke must evacuate the last refugees abandoned in PNG, so they can rebuild their lives here or in an other safe country.

How can I help refugees near me?

There are many ways in which you can be directly involved with supporting refugees in New South Wales. Listed below are some of the many ways you can get involve with the work of the Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group (BMRSG). These range from writing letters which you can do from home or with a group such as helping with events or fundraising.

Whatever your skills or talents, there is a place for you to be involved. Please check out the options below and sign up if there is something that appeals to you.

Changing Hearts and Minds

We aim to widen public understanding of refugee and asylum seeker issues through:

Advocating for fair treatment of those seeking asylum through social media and main stream media,
Writing submissions and engaging with politicians,
Involving our schools and young people in a range of activities such as speakers, theatrical events and the Christmas ‘Welcome Shoesbox Project’.

Youth Shoebox Project

The Youth Shoebox Project, initiated in 2015 by Sue Campbell-Ross (able2) and Jackie Mayers (Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group),thrived with the support of the Blue Mountains Community. Over the past nine years, nearly 3000 shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts have been distributed to refugee and asylum-seeking children in Sydney and the Blue Mountains area. The project received generous contributions from schools, organisations, individuals, and families. These shoeboxes provide joy, love, and relief to children who have faced dislocation and extremely difficult circumstances.

Each shoebox contained various items, including toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and personalised notes or cards, which are highly cherished by the recipients.

The Youth Shoebox has come to an end. Jackie Mayers returned to the UK and despite advertising no one came forward to continue the project. Jackie’s shoes were very big shoes to fill.

Thank you to Jackie and Sue, the packers, distributors, the schools and other groups and all the individuals involved.

Writing Letters

TAKE ACTION – Write to your politician

Members are encouraged to write to politicians to advocate on issues of interest to them. See the Stay Informed pages for information on issues that are being discussed in various forums.

Ideas on the nitty-gritty of writing letters can be found on the Letter Writing page here, which also has a link to a Letter Writing kit issued each month by ARAN. As well as providing ideas to write about, the kit lists politicians’ contact details.

OR Join the BMRSG Letter Writing Group

A group of writers meets on the second Thursday of the month at 11 am at the home of Judy Reynolds in Leura. The meeting usually involves sharing any responses received and discussing the focus issues for the next set of letters. In the photo, guest speaker Isobel McGarrity from RACS talked about the work she has been involved in supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

New letter writers are always very welcome. If you would like more details, please contact Judy at juglenn@bigpond.com

Help with Events and Fundraising

Over the last 5 years, BMRSG has provided over $1.2 million of financial support to refugees. The main areas of assistance are: $589,811 on rent relief; $202,585 on food assistance and $13,509 on assistance with medical expenses

One of the ways we raise these necessary funds is through fundraising events. We are always looking for people who can help organise events. When an event is scheduled we often ask for help with a variety of tasks such as, promotion, selling tickets, setting up venue, serving tea and coffee, helping on a stall, selling raffle tickets, etc.

If you would like to help with events please email secretary@bmrsg.org.au

DONATE!!

BMRSG no longer collects and distributes furniture and clothing.
A huge thank you to our many volunteer drivers, offsiders and donors who made this service possible and to Adelaide, Julie Martin and others who have coordinated it previously.