Hull seeks City of Sanctuary recognition

The city became one of the Government's 12 major dispersal centres in 2000 and since then has offered a home to people whose lives were in danger in their own countries.

The City of Sanctuary movement began in 2005 in Sheffield, as local people, community groups, businesses, schools, faith communities, the NHS and the city council expressed a common aim to ensure that their city was a welcoming place for people seeking sanctuary from war or persecution.

Sheffield became the first city in Britain to be designated a City of Sanctuary in 2007.

Hull is one of more than 20 other cities and towns now hoping to follow Sheffield's lead.

A working group chaired by retired Hull GP Prof Peter Campion will formally launch Hull's bid at a meeting at Princes Avenue Methodist Church at 7.30pm on Friday, June 18.

Prof Campion said: "This is a great opportunity for Hull to follow in the footsteps of its great hero William Wilberforce, whose campaign to change attitudes towards slavery changed society.

"We want to celebrate the welcome the people of Hull are already giving to refugees, and to try to increase understanding and foster even more action across all sectors."

In Hull there are people who have fled persecution in countries including Bosnia, Iraq, Iran, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Palestine, Pakistan, Algeria, and China.

Announcing its bid, the group said: "Many have lost their homes and families from persecution brought about by their race, religion, political views, or membership of a particular social group, but they have brought new skills, music, food and hard work to contribute to our city."