Charity

British Red Cross celebrates Refugee Week in Leicester with live music and a football world cup

Ramelle Kabasele

The British Red Cross will host a live concert and football world cup in Leicester to celebrate Refugee Week 2019.

The concert will take place at Jubilee Square from 11-4pm on Saturday 15 June and will feature live performances from refugee musicians from Leicester, including EAGA Gospel Choir, Afro City Swingsters, and Mohammed Yahya.

Congolese artist Ramelle Kabasele will also be performing. She works as a carer in Leicester and has volunteered with the Red Cross, providing support to refugees and people seeking asylum in Leicester, since 2008.

She said: “Performing is a chance for me to publicise the work the Red Cross does to support people who have fled their homes because of conflict, natural disaster or persecution. But it is also a chance for me to give something back to the local community who made me feel so welcome when I arrived in Leicester.”

The Refugee Week World Cup will take place from 10-3pm on Saturday 22 June at St Margaret’s Pastures. It will feature teams made up of people from all over the world who live in Leicester.

Visitors to both events will be able to participate in activities suitable for the whole family. The events are sponsored by DMU Local.

Eric Nkundumubano, British Red Cross Acting Operations Manager for refugee support in the East Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the rich contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to life in Leicester. Bring a picnic and join us for two excellent events.”

The Red Cross is part of a coalition of charities that are celebrating Refugee Week nationwide from 17-23 June.

The theme of this year’s Refugee Week is ‘You, Me and those who came before’. It uses a series of cultural and educational events to highlight how settled and newly arrived communities live and work together for a better future.

In Leicester, the Red Cross runs a drop-in centre for refugees and asylum seekers from its office at 27 East Street from 10-3 pm Monday to Friday (except Wednesday. It offers emotional support and assistance to access the legal system, education and employment, housing, health services and leisure activities.

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