Activists in Brent have set up an action group to raise funds and show support for refugees fleeing violence in Syria and other war-torn countries.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Anton Georgiou and fellow Brent Refugee Action campaigners at the group's inaugural meeting.Anton Georgiou and fellow Brent Refugee Action campaigners at the group's inaugural meeting. (Image: Archant)

Councillors and humanitarian campaigners from across the borough joined for the first meeting of the Brent Refugee Action Group last week to plan a Christmas concert to raise funds for the ‘#refugeeswelcome’ campaign.

The concert will be held on December 13 at St Andrew’s Church in High Road, Willesden, and will join forces with other community groups to highlight the desperate situation of thousands of refugees fleeing their homelands in the Middle East and Africa.

Liberal Democrat campaigner Anton Georgiou proposed an official grouping in response to mounting concern at worsening living conditions in refugee camps in Calais and Syria, especially with the onset of winter.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Activists gathered to discuss forthcoming fundraising and awareness action for the #refugeeswelcome campaignActivists gathered to discuss forthcoming fundraising and awareness action for the #refugeeswelcome campaign (Image: Archant)

He said: “We launched Brent Refugee Action to come together to do our bit to help refugees and also show that here in Brent we appreciate and value our diversity; we see it as our greatest strength.

“The refugee crisis has touched us all and action is desperately needed.”

The grouping includes former Brent council leader Paul Lorber, former councillors Bob Wharton and Mark Cummins and members of residents groups in Willesden Green and Gladstone park.

They met with the Brent Citizens community group on Monday evening to organize a #refugeeswelcome training session and discuss the next phase of their campaign ahead of the fundraising concert.

The campaigners are appealing for readers to share their pictures and stories of arriving in the UK to create a visual backdrop to the concert.

The night will also be a chance for the community to collect supplies and donations to help keep refugee families warm this winter.

Mr Georgiou added: “We are really excited about our concert in December. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.”

If you would like to share your experience or join Brent Refugee Action group contact Anton Georgiou on: Brentrefugeeaction@gmail.com or 07860 123494.