Walk for RACS

8th April, 2015

Dear friends and family,

I have reactivated my fundraising page for RACS (The Refugee and Casework Service) as with the awful facts that have come to light via The Human Rights Commission Forgotten Children Report and the governement own Moss Report regarding the sexual abuse of women and children in detention, there has never been a more urgent time to take action and stand up for what is right. This week we have heard about the abuse and humiliation of vunerable people, the distrubing facts about the onset of mental health issues whist in detention as well as the closing down of the only classroom on Nauru to make way for a gym for the staff!!! Meanwhile the person who mudered Reza Berati is still free. 

RACS has lost over 85% of its funding even though it is a vital organisation in giving asylum seekers basic access to legal information. 

Please donate to help them stay afloat and continue the great work they are doing.

xx

Dear friends and family, 

Overwhelmed with the misinterpretation of refugees and asylum seekers in Australia today I feel compelled do something. The United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refuges makes it very clear that it is NOT illegal to seek asylum. The language that politicians across both major parties and the media have used in recent years has left many people confused and ill informed. My aim is to get friends and family asking questions about the basic human right to legal representation and question which side of history we as a nation want to be on.

As a high school teacher I am particularly concerned with the increasing number of children in detention and the secrecy surrounding the conditions in offshore processing centres. The murder of 23 year old Reza Berati whilst in Australian care is unacceptable and the Australian governments reluctance to support the United Nations inquiry into atrocities committed by the Sri Lankan government is questionable.

I have committed to walk 100km a month for 5 months between July and December to raise awareness and help raise funds for the Refugee Advice & Casework Service (RACS). RACS provides legal advice and representation for refugees and asylum seekers so that their claims may be heard and tested. RACS provides free legal assistance to some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Since March 2012 there have been numerous changes in asylum seeker policy and significant cuts to the funding of legal assistance for asylum seekers. The result is an increased demand for access to legal advice and services, but a lack of funding for community legal centres to provide that advice, leaving men, women and children at risk of being sent back to danger. Unless RACS is able to raise $2 million over the next two years, this important and longstanding institution will cease to exist.  

I want to do what I can to support RACS and help them to continue to provide their vital services of to the community.

If you would like to make a donation to support RACS and help them to continue to provide their vital services to the community, you can do so here. All donations over $2 are tax deductible and you will be issued with a tax receipt via email as soon as you make a donation. Click 'Donate' to make a secure online donation. 

I would also really appreciate it if you could share my page or comment below so more people know about it.  

Thank you,

Thecla xx

TRACKING 

FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!