Saturday’s Carlisle City of Sanctuary ‘Welcome to Your City’ event, hosted by Carlisle United, was a resounding success, bringing together people from across the globe who have fled their homelands as a result of various forms of persecution. They were welcomed into Carlisle with open arms into a free, safe and secure environment.
Organisations from across Carlisle were present to support the day including Cumbria Pride, Carlisle Refugee Action Group, PiNC, Carlisle College, Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire Service, Fox’s Health & Well-being and iCan Health & Fitness.
Catering was provided by John Watt & Son and facilities by Carlisle United and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust.
We look forward to working with the organisations and the people more over the coming weeks and months.
Teresa Mullholland, Assistant Manager Carlisle United Community Sports Trust said: “The Welcome to Your City event was again another opportunity to showcase the excellent partnership between Carlisle United and Carlisle United Community Sports Trust; supporting our local community and its many diasporas.”
Stephen Dunn, Carlisle City Council said: “It's absolutely brilliant that ‘Welcome to Your City’ is carrying on and gathering partners and momentum as it goes.
“It’s also fantastic that Carlisle United have hosted this event. Wherever you're from or were born, it's so important everyone feels welcome and part of our great City.”
Adrienne Gill, Carlisle City of Sanctuary/Carlisle Refugee Action Group said: “Members of Carlisle Refugee Action Group and Carlisle City of Sanctuary were delighted with the success of our third Welcome Event on Saturday.
“We are very grateful to Carlisle United for hosting it and it was a great experience to work alongside their staff and volunteers. The feedback from the refugees and people seeking asylum who attended has been really positive. We're looking forward to our next Welcome Day already!”
Nigel Davidson, EDI Officer and Fan Director Carlisle United said: “It’s been wonderful day, seeing all the smiles on everyone’s faces. Particularly Lilian and Cynthia from Kenya.
“Lilian is an accomplished footballer and has been training with our Women’s Team under Manager Tracy Gannon. She’s looking forward to playing her first game for the team and we can’t wait for her to pull on the blue shirt and represent Carlisle United!”
