Dear Friends,
We write to ask if you could kindly donate to our annual Christmas appeal for destitute women and children in the All African Women’s Group (AAWG) — the self-help group of women asylum seekers based with us at the Crossroads Women’s Centre. Each year we have been able to ensure that women have some money in their hands to cover essentials over the holiday period when they are without the usual support that the Centre provides.
The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed women into even more desperate situations. Women asylum seekers got just £37.75 a week to live on in pre pandemic times and that was increased by just £1.85. Many get nothing and are completely destitute. Since the lock down, we’ve worked with other organisations at the centre to get food vouchers and parcels to women in need,as well as phone top-ups/other help to ensure women are not isolated and can still pursue their cases and support each other.
Over half of the women in the group are mothers worried about their children going hungry. Some women have “No Recourse to Public Funds” and now can’t do waged work to support themselves. Many women, as you can imagine, are suffering from physical and mental health problems from rape and other torture that they suffered.
Last year as a result of people’s kindness, we were able to give 50 women a one-off payment comparable to one weeks’ worth of benefits. We worked together to distribute the money raised. We’d like to be able to provide something similar this year.
We appreciate that the people we approach for help often don’t have much themselves especially in these very hard times, but women are always amazed at the generosity, lovely comments and good wishes received through the appeal.
Even under lockdown women are campaigning to get their voices heard, raising destitution and the dependence and danger that comes from that, speaking about the impact of the climate crisis on women internationally, and where possible protesting about violence and lack of protection here and in their home countries as part of the Black Lives Matter movement.
We are trying to raise at least £2,500 to match-fund a generous donor and ensure that the women who regularly attend AAWG’s monthly self-help meetings get a small cash payment. Anything you can give, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated.
Best wishes,
Niki Adams
How to donate:
1. ThroughCrossroads Women’s Christmas Asylum Appeal2020. If you are a taxpayer the value of your donation isincreased by 20% at no extra cost to yourself if you choose to add Gift Aid toyour donation.
2. Moneytransfer to Legal Action for Women, Unity Trust Bank, account number -50728361, sort code – 086001. If donating online or direct into ouraccount, we would appreciate an email to let us know.
3. By cheque, payable to Legal Action for Women – please specify that you are donating in response to the Christmas Appeal and post the cheque to: Crossroads Women’s Centre, 25 Wolsey Mews, NW5 2DX.
Thank You!
Legal Action for Women
Crossroads Women’s Centre, 25 Wolsey Mews, NW5 2DX Tel: 020 7482 2496