Milton Keynes based international development charity World Vision UK has donated the money it normally contributes towards staff Christmas lunches to an organisation working to support Afghan refugees.
Like many employers, World Vision UK makes an annual contribution so its staff teams can enjoy a Christmas meal together. But, as the Covid situation escalated, the organisation’s leaders made the decision to move its Christmas parties online.
With the support of their staff, they decided instead to bring some joy into the lives of Afghan refugees who are settling into new lives in Milton Keynes. Almost £2,000 has been gifted to Welcome MK, a charity that aims to provide a coordinated response to any situation where refugees arrive in the city in need.
Mark Sheard, CEO of World Vision UK, said: “It was a tough decision to cancel our Christmas lunches, but we felt it was necessary given the situation with Covid. World Vision works to bring hope and transformation to poor communities in over 100 countries worldwide, including Afghanistan. We know the level of need and the trauma faced by refugees who have fled recently. It was a privilege to be able to do something to help people from Afghanistan who are arriving and starting new lives in Milton Keynes.”
Jo Dunk, Welcome MK Coordinator said: “I’d like to extend a huge thank you for your offer of a donation to Welcome MK for the work with our families from Afghanistan. Working with the families is a huge blessing as I’m sure you can imagine, and your financial support will go a long way to helping the families as they settle into life in the UK.”
