Refugees living in Brisbane on final departure visas will directly benefit from donations made at the recent Ballina Region for Refugees Palm Sunday rally.
A total of $875 donated on the day was increased to $1,875 soon afterwards, when a Ballina woman, who said she was extremely moved by the stories she heard at the rally, donated an extra $1000.
BR4R Treasurer Rik Dillon said that a total of $2000 will be sent to The Romero Centre in Brisbane.
‘The Romero Centre is an arm of Mercy Community Services which provides refugees with emergency support such as food and accommodation, connections to legal advice, emotional counselling and more,’ he said.
‘Late last year about 515 refugees, including those just released from detention, were moved to final departure visas, and given three weeks’ notice to find both a job and a place to live, with very limited financial support and medical care,’ said Mr Dillon.
‘It’s just impossible for them,’ he said. ‘Especially for the ones who have been in detention for eight years, whose mental health is very fragile.’
BR4R says that every cent raised goes directly to organisations and individuals who support refugees. Donations can still be made at https://br4r.org.au.
