A PROJECT to provide a home for a Syrian refugee family has been successful in finding a house.

A group of local volunteers set up a group called Croeso Penarth last year with the aim of providing a home through private tenancy to a family of four from a refugee camp.

Under the umbrella of the Home Office Community Sponsorship Scheme and in conjunction with Citizens Cymru they have been working towards bringing a vulnerable refugee family out of their camp to live in safety in our community in Penarth.

The process is well documented between Croeso Penarth and the Home Office and the family carefully chosen.

The first task was to find a home for them and, working with a local church, a suitable private house was found in the heart of Penarth.

The next task is to furnish this house and kit it out before their arrival, sometime hopefully in the spring.

They also want to gather suitable clothing for the family, as they will arrive with only a suitcase each of possessions.

The group has been fundraising vigorously since last year holding weekly soup lunches at local churches, a quiz night, curry night and a musical event among other things.

Many local people have come along to support the group with £9,000 having been raised already through fundraising and donations.

Fundraising is crucial to the success of this venture as the family will need to be supported for up to two years until they can be independent.

Narbeth and Fishguard, are already successfully supporting families under the Sponsorship Scheme and there is a movement of other communities across the country starting up their own sponsorships.

The next fundraising event is going to be a Gala Musical concert at The Paget Rooms on Sunday, January 14 starting at 3pm.

Many local performers are giving freely their time and talent to put on the show.

There will be local children’s Musical Theatre groups performing, Barry Male Voice Choir, Oasis World choir, other local choirs, a folk guitarist, instrumentalists and singers.

Tickets can be bought online for £15 in advance at ticketsource.co.uk/croeso-Penarth or by calling Ticket Source on 0333 666 3366 or for £20 at the door.

There will be light refreshments included in the ticket price.