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. Lois Mackenzie (22 January 2021). "Refuweegee: Glasgow charity stepping up to support their city". The Herald. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
  2. 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.
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