For several years, Hay, Brecon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees (HBTSR) has helped bring Christmas joy to sanctuary-seeking families.

The support has been made possible through the generosity of Breconshire schools, churches, and community groups.

This year, the effort continued with pupils, staff, and supporters from Brecon High School, Gwernyfed High School, Llangors Church in Wales Primary School, Llangattock Church in Wales Primary School, Ysgol y Mynydd Du, and members of the TimeOut group donating thoughtful gifts.

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Llangattock pupils hand over their carefully collected gifts to HBTSR trustees Lawrence Duffy and Ailsa Dunn (HBTSR)

Each school approached the initiative in its own way.

At Llangattock, the pupils’ council decided to support families seeking sanctuary and created posters to encourage donations, which were collected in their dedicated "Sanctuary Corner." Ysgol y Mynydd Du pupils designed individual gift bags with messages of hope and filled them with items, while Llangors Primary School encouraged donations through their Parent-Teacher-Friends Association alongside a Christmas raffle. Meanwhile, at Brecon and Gwernyfed High Schools, students were encouraged to consider what gifts might be most welcome to those living far from home with limited resources.

Pupils from Brecon High School gather with their thoughtful donations,
Pupils from Brecon High School gather with their thoughtful donations (HBTSR 3)

In total, more than 800 gifts were loaded into a large trailer and taken to Swansea by Colin Preece, Lawrence Duffy, and Ailsa Dunn. The gifts were distributed among sanctuary-seeking families and individuals through the Swansea Asylum Seekers Support group, hosted by St James’ Church.

Father Ian, the vicar of the church, warmly remarked, “Most people have heard of the Christmas Shoebox Appeal - now see the HBTSR Horse Box Appeal!”

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Colin Preece and Lawrence Duffy with a large trailer full of presents (HBTSR)

One recipient, who identified herself as AM, shared her story of fleeing her country due to threats against her husband following a government change. Reflecting on the challenges of adapting to life in the UK, she spoke about the joy the gifts brought to her family

“For the past two years my daughters had a wonderful Christmas thanks to HBTSR group and the schools in Brecon,” she said.

“It would  be such a pleasure to meet pupils to say thanks.

“I thank the Hay Brecon team and the schools for everything they do for us.”

Ailsa Dunn, secretary of HBTSR, described the initiative as a privilege.

“It has been uplifting and humbling to see the happiness and kindness on the faces of local  children who seem really pleased to be able to give gifts to people they know are so much less fortunate than themselves,” she said.

“Equally it is an enormous privilege for our group to be able to help bring some happiness  at Christmas into the lives of people seeking sanctuary.

“We are delighted that a number of local schools are working towards recognition as Schools of Sanctuary - an award which recognises that they are especially welcoming and inclusive places in which to be educated.”

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Ailsa Dunn handing over some of the gifts (HBTSR)

The School of Sanctuary award scheme is run by City of Sanctuary and recognises schools that are particularly welcoming and inclusive.

HBTSR is a group of volunteers coordinating a local response to the refugee crisis. For more information about the work they do and to explore opportunities to get involved, please visit their website: https://hbtsr.cityofsanctuary.org/