For years now, we have watched in horror as scenes of desperation emerge from 'The Jungle' in Calais; the refugee and migrant camp located around the French ferry port.
Whilst many of us may sympathise with the plight of refugees, sitting cosily on this side of the Channel it's easy to feel somewhat distanced from their suffering. But how many of us have actually considered that we might not be all that far removed from their experiences? How many of us, for instance, have ancestors who were forced to flee their countries in order to escape the terror of war? In short, how many of us have ever wondered if we might owe our very existence to refugees?
A new campaign entitled 'Refugenes' has been launched by the charity Help Refugees to ask that very question. Recruiting the help of celebrities such as Jamie Cullum and Rita Ora – both of whom have 'refugenes' – it aims to raise awareness for the number of people in the UK with familial links to refugees, in the hope that funds will be raised to support those currently suffering refugee status.
'People with refugenes have helped make Britain great,' the charity says. 'If given a chance, what could today’s refugees do tomorrow?'
Speaking in a video posted online to the charity's website, Rita Ora reveals: 'When I was just one year old, my family fled my country Kosvo because a war was breaking out.'
On another, Jamie Callum explains: 'On my father’s side, his mother was Prussian and Jewish, and at the outset of World War Two and the Nazi invasion she had to flee. A long and complicated journey brought her to Jerusalem, where she found a safe haven and met my grandfather. And that’s where my father was born.
'I am the product of refugees who found safe haven.'
These are very powerful stories which instantly spur us to action. How can we help? It couldn't be easier: simply donate £5 to the charity by texting REFU to 70700.
And also... we can show our support via the power of fashion, and specifically through our wardrobe choices tomorrow.
Renowned fashion designer Bella Freud – whose great-grandfather Sigmund Freud, grandfather Ernst Freud and father Lucian Freud were refugees – has designed an exclusive range of t-shirts and sweatshirts labelled 'I'VE GOT REFUGENES', which are now available to buy. There's no better way to get behind the campaign than by purchasing one of these inexpensive designer items. Do so by clicking here.
For all other information on the campaign and the brilliant work done by the Help Refugees charity, visit: helprefugees.org.uk