A chance meeting between a young refugee and a local volunteer working in a camp in Greece, not only saw the beginning of a new friendship, but also the opportunity to share a story across the UK.

Bernard Sullivan, a member of RAISE (Refugee Action in Somerset East), met a young Syrian man, Abdulazez Dukhan, and the pair kept in touch, Abdulazez eventually being granted asylum in Belgium.

Co-ordinated by Bernard, Abdulazez will now begin a series of seven talks across the country, and, having become an accomplished photographer and graphic artist along the way, his artwork will also be on display.

On Monday, 8th April at 7 p.m., the Ammerdown Centre will be jointly hosting ‘From Syria to Sanctuary’: A Young Man’s Journey.

Abdulazez will share the story of how he left his home as a child of twelve and travelled thousands of miles across continents. Abdualzez is fluent in English and Dutch, and his video, ‘Letter to Donald’ (Trump) has been viewed over 40,000 times.

There is no charge for the evening, but organisers ask that attendees make a donation on the night in support of Safe Passage UK. The event is jointly hosted by the Ammerdown Interfaith Project; RAISE (Refugee Action in Somerset East) and Bath Welcomes Refugees.

Safe Passage UK exists to help unaccompanied child refugees and vulnerable adults find safe, legal routes to sanctuary. They have reunited unaccompanied asylum seeking children from France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Syria and Sudan with their relatives. For those who arrive in the UK, they also support their transition to a new life. They are determined to find a way to give everyone fleeing persecution safe passage.

The Ammerdown Interfaith Project (AIP) was set up to address faith and race-related hate crime. It is hoped that through connecting people, listening to each other’s stories, and sharing them on again, we will break down prejudices; remember our common humanity and our need to belong; and be inspired to make a difference. The AIP is funded by the Methodist Church, The Beeston Community Trust and The Ammerdown Centre.

RAISE originated in response to the needs of refugees in Calais. With over 2,000 members, RAISE collects donations of aid and sends them to refugees in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; offers support to refugees who have arrived in the UK; raises awareness and lobbies politicians.

Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) has one simple aim: to bring to safety and security in the UK those people persecuted and in danger in their own countries and homelands, and in particular, to help them settle in Bath or the surrounding area, should that be where their journey ends. BWR aims to maintain a non-partisan stance when it comes to party politics and religion, so that this one simple aim stays forever at the front of BWR’s efforts, whatever else may be happening globally, nationally or locally.

For information about the event, email: [email protected] Tel: 01761 433709 or: 07501 270551.

A spokesperson for RAISE told The Journal: “We are hoping a lot of people will come along to hear about Abdulazez’s experiences – it always helps to put a human face to the crisis.”