Annual appeal donations matched dollar for dollar by anonymous donor

Wednesday, May 23 2018

“Rolling deadlines make this situation beyond urgent – it’s now critical”

In recent months, the emergency created by the government-imposed deadline for asylum seekers to apply for protection has morphed into something even worse – a final ruling on their fate.

Many thousands of people seeking our help are now in a state of continuing crisis. Rolling deadlines, and the paralysing uncertainty they create, constitute their everyday.  Will you help Refugee Legal to combat this dire situation – and be part of the solution?

So many of our clients are now coming to us when their situation is beyond urgent – it’s critical. They present with Federal Government notices, with often 21 days or less to act. The level of anxiety already among people seeking our help – after years of limbo – is hard to describe.

To makes matters worse, the government is now stripping many people of basic income support, housing and torture/trauma counselling. This also applies to some we act for who’ve been evacuated from Nauru and Manus for emergency treatment. It’s unprincipled and unconscionable. It only compounds their vulnerability. And their emergency need for legal intervention.

Their greatest need is to be granted protection – the legal permission to stay. To secure safety and avoid destitution.

In this context, we’re launching our End of Financial Year Appeal with a special offer from one of our major supporters.

This anonymous donor will match your generous tax-deductible donation to Refugee Legal, dollar for dollar until 30 June – doubling the impact of your gift. She said:

“I’ve come to realise that people cannot rebuild their lives if their legal status is in doubt. Refugee Legal has a fantastic track record in terms of the huge number people they assist, and their outstanding success in challenging the injustices that successive governments have imposed on vulnerable people.”

Your donation will enable us to directly assist thousands of people facing the final ruling on their fate – and destitution.

Based on 30 years’ experience, we know that expert legal assistance for people seeking asylum is so often the difference between securing safety, or being deported to danger.

In all that we do, we continue to harness the support of over 550 volunteers, including partnering with over a dozen major law firms to ensure that your donation makes the biggest possible impact.

While we increase our impact, our anonymous donor will double yours – dollar for dollar up to $50,000 – when you make a tax deductible donation before 30 June.

Help us to help people seeking asylum, who deserve a fair go before the law and the chance to build a better life in safety.

With profound thanks,

David

David Manne
Executive Director and Principal Solicitor