BATHURST-BASED Rural Australians for Asylum Seekers (RAFAS) will hold a fundraising party this weekend to raise money for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).
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Juanita Kwok, one of the organisers from RAFAS, said due to a recent change in government policy, more than 100 asylum seekers who were moved from detention centres at Nauru or Manus to Australia for medical treatment are set to lose government income and accommodation support.
She said organisations such as the ASRC need to provide immediate housing, food and material aid to these vulnerable people, some of whom are babies and children.
“We are hoping the party this Saturday night will be a lot of fun and also make a good contribution to the work of the ASRC,” she said.
“The planning for this event has also been strongly supported by the younger members of RAFAS.”
One of those younger members, 15-year-old Jade Newham, said she wanted to be actively involved in this cause “as these are real people who have already faced so much hardship”.
“Some of them are only children,” she said.
The fundraiser party will be held at Bathurst City Community Club this Saturday, September 16 from 7pm. Finger food will be provided and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.
The live music line-up has been confirmed to include local singer Emily Geerkins and energetic local band The Bootleggers.
To round up the evening, the musicians will be followed by some dance music.
Tickets will be available at the door.
The evening will bring community together to help others less fortunate, and provide plenty of opportunity to kick up the heels and dance, organisers said.