SYRIAN refugees, who escaped their war-torn home and have settled in Coventry, are hosting a sold-out fundraising dinner to raise money for the city’s homeless.
Newly relocated Syrians will sit down side-by-side with Coventrians to share a meal and raise funds for the Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre’s (CRMC) Destitution Fund and to show their thanks to the city which has welcomed them.
The Destitution Funs supports the city’s homeless population and those with no access to public funds.
The main event will be a specially drawn up and freshly prepared menu of traditional Syrian food, alongside a raffle and other competitions.
Adnan Khalil Omar fled Syria in 2015 and settled in the Wood End area of the city with his wife and daughter.
Acting as chef for the event, Adnan said: “We are thankful to the city of Coventry and its people for the support we have received since arriving.
“Hopefully this event will provide an opportunity for Syrians like me to give something back to the community, by raising funds for those in the city that really need it.”
Adnan (centre) with two other Syrian volunteers with a selection of food they had prepared for members of an English class they attend. s
Sabir Zazai, director at CRMC and Peter Barnett, head of service at Coventry City Council will also give a speech at the fundraising dinner about the Syrian Integration Project, which supports Syrian families with community engagement, employment and social integration.
Sroosh Kouhyar, Social Integration Officer at CRMC and an organiser of the dinner added: “Our charity supports Syrian refugees to resettle in Coventry, and this dinner shows that the people we work with are keen to give something back to the city.
“Hopefully it’ll help with social integration, by meeting and engaging with members of the community in the city that welcomed and provided them sanctuary.
“It will be an exciting evening with great food and plenty of fun.
“I’m sure everyone will enjoy it.”
The fundraising dinner will take place at St Peter’s Centre in Hillfields on Saturday, December 3 at 6pm.
