A crowdfunder set up by the Falmouth and Penryn Welcome Refugee Families group has reached its final days of activity.

The group, set up in April 2018, is a beautifully diverse collective of local people who want to help the vulnerable men, women and children of Syria.

The group is working on the community sponsorship scheme, which was created by the Government to match communities with the most vulnerable refugee families and give them a safe place to live.

The crowdfunder has already raised just over six thousand pounds at the time of writing this article. The goal is to raise nine thousand pounds by June 20th.

The crowdfunder is to raise money to be able to fund a refugee families move and integration into the Falmouth and Penryn area.

In order for the next stage of processing to begin, the Home Office needs to see that the group has nine thousand pounds in the bank. This is for clarification that the community will be able to resource the move effectively.

The money is to finance the family for at least two years while they integrate into our community - which means spending money on furnishing a suitable house, English lessons, transport and a whole manner of other essentials.

Since April 2018, a host of events have been hosted throughout the community to raise awareness for the scheme, including; a Syrian Feast, music events and jumble sales.

Nub News Falmouth spoke to Jude Munden, the creator of the Penryn and Falmouth Welcome Refugee Families group, she said:

"I was frustrated that there was very little that one could do to help the global crisis while in Cornwall. This seemed an opportunity to give the large number of people in the community who wanted to make a difference a chance to.

"We are keen for people who want to give regular donations. In budgeting terms for us that's a great help. No matter how small the sum is - it all adds up and it helps so much.

"I think one of the best things people can do is be friendly and open. We will be welcoming people who are joining the community from a long way away, we need to remember that a smile goes far.

"We have had some negative comments and some people who are worried about it - and it's our job to try and reassure those people.

"They are definitely a minority however, and that is reassuring. I've always known we lived in a great community."

The group were eager to tell Nub News Falmouth that the work does not end once the Crowdfunder has finished.

The group are looking for people who have experience in teaching english as a foriegn language, have any Arabic cultural or language experience and also who want to become befrienders.

Bea Shrewsbury, a member of the group and daughter of a refugee, told Nub News Falmouth:

"The community sponsorship scheme has brought such a great thing to this community. It's been an opportunity for people who otherwise experienced social isolation and loneliness to become part of a caring community.

"For myself, I have been living overseas for a few years and came home last year. So it's been a fantastic way to get back involved and meet so many lovely people."

You can find more information on how to get involved and stay updated on the process by pressing the button down below.