THE organisers of a second special lunch for asylum seekers in Hoylake have praised the town's warm and continued support.

The 50 were given a special Persian meal during the event - organised by Moulana Iranian community Liverpool and Katherine Vesey from community group A heart for refugees - at St Hildeburgh's Parish Church in the town on Thursday.

Mr Amin, from Moulana Iranian community Liverpool, told the Globe: "We would like to thank Mrs Katherine Vesey from A heart for refugees organisation for allowing us to hold this humanitarian event again.

"The food was again traditional Persian food which the Asylum seekers approached very much.

"Moulana's management team on the night Mr Vahid, Mr Amin and Mr Kamran were so pleased to see the improvements on refugees' mood, mental health and wellbeing compared to five months ago when they arrived in Wirral.

"This shows the degree of caring and kindness of Wirral people.

"We were greeted warmly by Rev Paul Rossiter the Vicar for St.Hildeburgh's Church and Mrs Chris Branch pastoral worker from St John the Baptist Meols.

"We would like to thank Mr Richard Skinner, curate St Hildebugh's and his wife Mrs Frances Skinner; curate of St John's Meals together with Mr Peter Ham, reader at St Hildebugh's for attending and their help, support and encouragement on the day."

Moulana, a Community Interest Charity organisation, was established in 2018 with help of National Lottery start up grant.

It helps asylum seekers in the North West with their day-to-day living to settling into smooth integration to wider society.

A spokesperson for the group continued: "We will help these vulnerable people in Wirral with more suitable food in future but our funds are very very limited.

"If anybody like to help by donating any money visit our website at www.moulana.co.uk"

The asylum seekers are staying temporarily at Holiday Inn - Liverpool through an arrangement with Serco, which has the Government contract on asylum seekers' accommodation during the coronavirus crisis.

Since their arrival five months ago, the town has done all it can to welcome them.

People have gone up to the hotel to show their support with donations of items, including home-made cakes and other items.

A spokesperson for the hotel confirmed it had been chosen to accommodate people entering the UK along with many other hotels in towns and cities across the country.

He assured local residents that all of those taken in had been tested for Covid-19 and results were negative.

Jenni Halliday, Serco contract director for asylum seeker accommodation, said at the time of the asylum seekers' arrival: "The overall reaction has been incredibly supportive and we are extremely grateful for the constructive approach that has been taken by most people.

"All the asylum seekers are issued with robust PHE approved written guidance on Covid-19 in respect of social distancing, self-isolation and advice on personal hygiene/self-care

"Serco is also working closely with the police to ensure that, as with any other member of the population, if any individuals do not follow social distancing guidance when outside the hotel, that we work together to reinforce this message."