THE CORRIS Institute is hosting its first event of the new year on Saturday, 6 January, in a bid to raise money to help refugees.

The event celebrates the fine tradition in Wales of helping refugees.

During World War One the UK took 4,000 Belgian refugees fleeing the conflict.

Most returned to Belgium after the war but some remained and their descendants are part our society today.

The Spanish Civil War saw us helping 4,000 children and in 1939 10,000 more children fleeing Europe were helped and hosted by families throughout Wales and the UK.

Those who helped look back on their lives and feel proud to have been instrumental in saving someone’s life; offering sanctuary is surely the most honourable thing a person can do, especially at this time of good will.

Mid Wales Refugee Action continues the fine tradition of helping refugees by making regular visits to France and other parts of Europe, taking supplies and help to families sleeping rough in the woods around Calais and Dunkirk, and by aiding the small number of destitute families who have been granted permission to stay in the UK.

The event is raising money for the after school club in Corris, Club Chwarae and also Mid Wales Refugee Action.

The event features a children’s disco, a folk band and to finish the evening Surfragettes, who play an eclectic mix of music that demands the audience dig out their best dance moves.