'˜Chichester should do more to help refugees'

The number of refugees the Chichester District will take has been slammed as '˜derisory' by a councillor.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2016, 16:42 GMT
Updated 22nd Mar 2016, 17:47 GMT
Cllr Clare Apel at the Holocaust Memorial Day event she helped organise at Chichester CathedralCllr Clare Apel at the Holocaust Memorial Day event she helped organise at Chichester Cathedral
Cllr Clare Apel at the Holocaust Memorial Day event she helped organise at Chichester Cathedral

Ten families from war-torn Syria will be housed across the district over the next four years, with 240 in total coming to West Sussex.

“It’s two families a year which is just derisory,” city and district councillor Clare Apel said. “I know there are deprived areas in West Sussex, but I still feel we could do much better.”

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“I would understand people’s worries if it was single males, but we are talking about families. I really feel we could do more for the young children currently rotting in camps.”

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The Cathedral was packed and raised nearly £5,000 for charityThe Cathedral was packed and raised nearly £5,000 for charity
The Cathedral was packed and raised nearly £5,000 for charity

West Sussex County Council is working with district and borough councils in coordinating the housing the 240 refugees, with the Government having pledged to take in 20,000 by 2020.

On Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27, Chichester Cathedral hosted a packed celebration of the life Sir Nicholas Winton, dubbed ‘The British Schindler’ who rescued 669 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia in 1938.

Cllr Apel added: “My cousin was one of the children brought over on a train when she was five and she now has children and grandchildren. “Sir Nicholas’ mantra was ‘Don’t Stand By’ and that applies as much today as it did then.”

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University vice-chancellor Professor Clive Behagg speaking at the event on January 27University vice-chancellor Professor Clive Behagg speaking at the event on January 27
University vice-chancellor Professor Clive Behagg speaking at the event on January 27

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The Cathedral was packed and raised nearly £5,000 for charityThe Cathedral was packed and raised nearly £5,000 for charity
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Related topics:SyriaGovernmentWest Sussex County Council