A CHURCH appeal has raised more than £5,000 to support refugees.

Church-goers from across the Diocese of Winchester have raised nearly £6,000 to help the work of the Red Cross resettling refugees in Hampshire and East Dorset.

It comes after the Bishop of Winchester the Right Rev, Tim Dakin launched a Christmas appeal to help refugees who have come to Hampshire.

The first refugee family moved to Hampshire more than a year ago and there are now families living in Winchester, Basingstoke, Lymington, Eastleigh and Andover.

Bishop Tim’s Christmas Appeal was to support the British Red Cross, which is working in partnership with Hampshire County Council provide refugees with a range of different services including legal and language support, in additional to practical help in the form of food and clothing.

Volunteers from churches across Hampshire are working closely with the British Red Cross and Hampshire County Council to offer practical support, and the funds raised will support the ongoing work.

He said: “In recent weeks we have heard worrying rhetoric and scaremongering about refugees from some politicians. The success of this appeal is a sign that, in our Diocese, we reject the politics of fear and instead choose to welcome those refugees who are making new homes in our local community.”

“I look forward to continuing to work with Hampshire County Council and the Red Cross in the coming months.”

The online donations page will remain open for one more week. Anyone wishing to donate can do so by going to www.justgiving.com/winchesterchristmas.