Hello Everyone! 

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Big WERS Weekend fundraising page! 

For those who are unfamiliar with West End Refugee Service (WERS), we provide invaluable aid to the refugee community in Newcastle Upon Tyne through both emotional and material support. The difficult road for asylum seekers does not end upon arrival in the United Kingdom as many are subjected to instances of racism, displacement, and poverty. WERS offers support to refugees in response to these events by contributing the following services: 

-Befriending scheme 
-Counseling services
-Weekly monetary stipends for those in need
-Education, training, and awareness-raising programs 
-Free clothing and household goods store
-Drop-in advice sessions

All of these services are made possible by our Hardship Fund, which provided aid to 281 refugees in 2010. And now, WERS needs your help to continue this fund with the help of generous donors like you!

To raise money, we are hosting our first "Big WERS Weekend" during March 10th and 11th, meaning that schools, businesses, and clubs will be organizing events all over Newcastle to fundraise for this very worthy cause. And you can do the same!  For more information about this event, please visit our website: http://www.wers.org.uk/news.html

In honor of this weekend, this site hopes to raise 500 pounds in the hopes of sustaining and improving our services to the refugees of Newcastle. All donations are very much appreciated and every little bit goes a long way in supporting our clients.  

Also: In addition to this site, the Politics Postgraduate Society of Newcastle University is teaming up with World Headquarters to fundraise as well.  Students will be selling discounted wristbands for quick entry into World Headquarters on March 9th, during their phenomenal Uplifting Groove DJ Spin. Wristbands will be 5 pounds (members pay 6, non-members pay 7 otherwise-so you'll get quite the deal!).

If you are in the area of Newcastle and interested in joining us on March 9th, email me (Josie) at m.j.davis@ncl.ac.uk for a wristband! 

For more information on this event, visit: 

World Headquarters: 

http://www.welovewhq.com/the-world-hq-uplifting-groove-chums-up-with-the-west-end-refugee-service-for-a-fund-awareness-raiser-upstairs-friday-night

Politics Postgraduate Society: 

http://www.politicspostgrad.org/wers-fundraising-event.html