Lewisham's mayor Damien Egan and Councillor Kevin Bonavia have called on Secretary of State Priti Patel to help Ukrainian refugees settle in the borough.

Pointing to the Lewisham community’s “heart-warming” response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Egan and Bonavia have signed an open letter to Patel urging the Government to outline how the borough can help resettle Ukrainians seeking sanctuary.

Egan and Bonavia pointed to Lewisham’s outpouring of donations such as money and clothes and highlighted Lewisham’s role as a borough of sanctuary.

The letter also pointed to the recent resettlement of 55 families from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan in Lewisham, suggesting the same can be done for Ukrainian asylum-seekers.

Sharing the letter on Twitter on Tuesday, Bonavia wrote: “It’s been so heart-warming to see so much support coming forward from Lewisham’s community for the Ukrainian people.

“Damien Egan and I are calling on the Government to work with @LewishamCouncil in welcoming Ukrainian refugees to our Borough of Sanctuary.”

A letter addressed to Patel read: “Dear Secretary of State, Re: Supporting Ukrainian Refugees.

“Communities and local authorities across the UK, such as ours in Lewisham, stand ready to help the Ukrainian people now suffering from the war in their country.

“Lewisham is living up to its role as a Borough of Sanctuary for refugees, asylum-seekers and migrants.

“Our community has risen to the humanitarian emergency with volunteers giving donations of money, clothes and other essential items for Ukrainians in need.

“Many residents of Lewisham are also willing to help accommodate Ukrainian refugees, as has been done for refugees from other areas of conflict with Lewisham recently resettling 55 families from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“This Council therefore offers our support in whichever way we can in welcoming and supporting Ukrainian refugees in this current crisis, so we urgently request the Government’s proposals for any resettlement support for Ukrainians seeking sanctuary in the UK.”

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