Click here for more information on the ride!

WAST SUPPORTERS  are doing a SPONSORED CYCLE RIDE 130 miles from Dallas Court  Reporting centre  To Yarlswood Immigration Detention centre -   JULY 28^TH

Please make cheques payable to WAST. –WAST, Ada House, 77 Thompson St, Manchester M4 5 FY  email;womentogether@wast.org.uk or you can pay directly into  our paypal account at  www.wast.org. 

Please support WAST- Women Asylum Seekers Together Manchester- (self help /support & campaigning group) by sponsoring this ride.

 Vicky Marsh & Hannah Berry are looking for sponsors for this 2 day / 130 “ish” mile, cycle to raise awareness of the treatment of women asylum seekers.

This cycle is the journey that  many WAST members have made , or fear they will have to make -in the back of a Home Office van – once they  are arrested & without notice when  they are reporting at  Dallas Court in Salford  and are then  transported like criminals to a bleak Detention Centre “ Yarlswood” in  waste land outside Bedford.

PROCEEDS TO GO TO WAST, DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT WOMEN ASYLUM SEEKERS WHO HAVE BEEN MADE DESTITUTE –(HOMELESS AND WITHOUT SUPPORT.)

10% to go to SUSTRANS for their support in this cycle see;  www.sustrans.org.uk

What are the experiences of the WAST women and the treatment of many women asylum seekers?

Many WAST woman  have;

•  Experienced gender/ sexual  violence & trauma in their countries  & then faced  further trauma in the asylum process instead of emotional & practical support.
• Had their asylum claims refused , having been unable to secure legal help or representation, advice or any support to challenge  in a court of law, decisions made  initially by the Home Office case workers.
• Been made completely destitute and vulnerable to exploitation and further violence in their struggle to survive.
• Been made to report sometimes daily, weekly or monthly at  Salford reporting centre  travelling from  locations across Greater Manchester, and when destitute , without any  financial help to get there.
• Been living on vouchers sometimes for years, (only cashed at 1 or 2 shops)
• Gone to report at Dallas court and been arrested with what they have on them and taken away in the van to a Detention Centre, without notice.
• Once detained have had  great difficulty in finding support, legal help or representation and are without information as to their rights.
• Left in detention frightened , stressed and without hope, not knowing if they are there for days , months or if they will get a call in the morning that they will be deported the next day.