Echo cash giveaway finalist says winning would make "huge difference"

The Gannett Foundation, the charitable branch of the Echo’s parent company, has provided us with £16,000 to donate to worthy causes. Ilda Stafa, founder of Welcome to the UK, believes the money would make a big difference to the charity and the lives of people they help.

“We are so thankful to be finalists in the competition, the money would make a huge difference to us. It would help with providing food, clothing, school uniform and English lessons to the refugees and asylum seekers who come to us for help,” said Ilda.

“Ultimately we want the people we help to become independent so they can be the volunteers and workers of the future.”

Ilda says the service makes a positive impact on peoples’ lives.

“One family we are working at the moment have four children and we worked with school admissions to secure a place at a school for them, get the family registered at a GPs and directed them to a food bank and gave them school uniforms for the children. They were so happy, the mother gave us a “thank you” card and the children give us a hug when they visit,” said Ilda.

“A big part of what we do is provide English lessons for people because speaking the language is the first step to being independent and becoming part of the community. We do not work in isolation we are in contact with other organisations to make all of this happen.

“Our motto is we don’t judge anyone and that everyone deserves to live with dignity.”

The ten finalists in the southeast of England include: Southend’s Welcome to the UK as well as St Vincent de Paul Society, a Southend community hub supporting vulnerable people and Leigh’s Lady McAdden Breast Screening Trust.

Welcome to the UK is based on the first floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre, Unit F39 & F40, 362 Chartwell Square, Victoria Plaza, Southend, SS2 5SP.

The opening hours are 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday, term time only.

For details on Welcome to the UK visit www.welcome2theuk.com.