World Refugee Week was a little different this year with lockdown affecting almost all activities in the UK not least fundraising.

This did not deter two creative thinking members of the Knighton and District Refugee Support Group, a small community group which raises money and provides support and assistance to refugees in Powys, who between them have raised just short of £2000 with online fundraisers.

Angie Zelter, a member of the support group, created and hosted an online Auction of Promises which raised £1685 selling such delights as a weekend for two at (to be enjoyed after lockdown) at a holiday cottage in Knucklas, a Welsh Dragon and many other great opportunities. From the off, bidding was enthusiastic and the winners left delighted with their trophies. Angie Zelter said ‘‘Not only did generous supporters help us raise these funds to help refugees but it was a reminder to us all of the desperate plight that they face and of the responsibility that all UK citizens have towards refugees.’

Camilla Saunders, a talented musician and member of the support group, came up with a similarly creative fundraiser, offering bespoke online musical concerts to individuals or groups willing to donate to the support group. Over £300 has been raised and by all accounts a thoroughly good time was had by all in the process. Camilla says of the events “I have been enjoying playing music of all kinds. These have included my own songs, pieces picked up in towns and refugee camps in Palestine, from Chilean friends who sought sanctuary in Britain from the dictatorship of Pinochet and also arrangements of tunes I learnt from an Iraqi colleague who came to the UK as a refugee. His refusal to play the kind of music demanded by Saddam Hussein meant he either had to leave Iraq or face going to prison. My own musical life - and life in general - has been enriched by these connections. Refugees from all over the world have added so much to culture and the arts in Britain; we would be much poorer and less colourful without them.” The group can by contacted on knightonrsg@gmail