Asylum Sneakers: Sports shoes for refugee and asylum seeker children

My Journey: Les Murray

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And here’s some amazing perks to sweeten the deal

I’m a football man. I’m also a refugee.My family and I left our home in Hungary in 1956 to seek a better life after the 1956 uprising was crushed by Soviet tanks. Eventually we were resettled in Australia.Growing up in Wollongong, my love of football, the game I’d enjoyed on the streets of Hungary, grew. Being involved in football, even as a spectator, helped me settle as an immigrant and in fact helped me fit in. It was at a football match, supporting the Socceroos - 12 years after my arrival - that I first felt truly Australian.I know how powerful football can be – it’s the most egalitarian of sports, very simple and very cheap to play. I want to help other young refugees and asylum seekers in their journey, through football. For many, football is a source of hope and a way for them to start healing from the traumas of the refugee experience. It helps give them a sense of purpose and belonging, as well as an opportunity to practise English and socialise with other children.When I reflect on my own journey in Australia, I feel bewildered and disenchanted by how my fellow refugees are being treated today. Current policies and attitudes are so far removed from the welcome I remember receiving and certainly don't reflect the generous spirit of most Australians whom I've come to know. I think it's time to intervene. We can show asylum seekers that Australians do care about their future, and that they are welcome here.Sport plays such an important role in Australian culture, which is why football is such an effective way of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers to Australia and supporting their participation in our society. But, without the right to work, many asylum seeker families rely on charitable organisations just to put food on the table. They can't afford the equipment or footwear needed to participate in sport.That's where Asylum Sneakers comes in! All funds raised during the campaign will go toward purchasing football boots and sports shoes for asylum seeker boys and girls, who otherwise couldn't afford them.I’m teaming up with Welcome to Australia , who will be working closely with trusted service providers such as The Red Cross, Settlement Services International and AMES, to ensure no child misses out and correct sizes are delivered directly to the children. For children who have not caught World Cup fever we will be supplying sports shoes suitable for school and play.There are currently over 25,000 asylum seeker families living in the community - that’s thousands of children who need shoes. Before this campaign even went public we received over 300 requests for shoes from children all over the country. With 85k we'll be able to fill this need and purchase around 1300 pairs shoes. Your donation of football boots or sports shoes for many asylum seeker children will be theAs you can see in the video, I’m joined in supporting Asylum Sneakers by Australian youth and A-league footballer, and Welcome to Australian ambassador Jake Barker-Daish. Jake believes in every child’s right to play - that’s why he’s made a commitment to personally deliver football boots to some of the asylum seeker recipients!Shoes might seem like a small thing, but giving someone the ability to play football and other sport can help them find hope, community and belonging. Like it did for me.You’ll receive a personalised thank you card from an asylum seeker child that you helped.Will see you decked out in a limited edition custom designed Welcome to Australia: Asylum Sneakers team T-shirt. Our T-shirts are proudly supported by Arcade Screen Printing Need a gift for the person impossible to buy for? Your $65 donation will give a kid a pair of sneakers and and your friend will receive a card wishing them a Happy birthday (or Merry Christmas or whatever the reason), signed by Les Murray himself thanking them for their gift. Is their anything better than the gift of giving?You could join international A-league footballer Jake Barker-Daish in delivering shoes to asylum seeker children in the Melbourne community. Limited places available so be quick!Gets you a spot on an Asylum Sneakers football team. Games will be played this August in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne against some super talented asylum seeker children. You’ll also get to deliver football boots to the children you're playing against and receive a Welcome to Australia: Asylum Sneakers team T-shirt. There are only 16 places available on each team.A donation gives a whole team of kids a pair of sneakers. You get the feel good feeling, a framed certificate signed by Les Murray thanking you or your organisation for their contribution.- You can score yourself a piece of Australian sports memorabilia, a Socceroos football signed by the 2014 Australian World Cup squad!