A GROUP set up to support Syrian refugees in Darlington has achieved charitable status.

Just 15 months after its first meeting, Darlington Assistance for Refugees (DAR), is now a fully-fledged charity.

The group first applied to be considered an official charity in April 2016, and last Thursday their wish was granted by the Charity Commission.

Sally Forth, who is one of the four trustees who helped set up DAR in September 2015, said that this development will open the door to funding from trusts, and make it possible for them to receive gift aid from donations.

Ms Forth also said that it will give their charity, which works alongside Darlington Borough Council, more recognition and more credibility in the future.

The foundations of DAR were first laid when a group of like-minded people, including Ms Forth, began to share messages on Facebook.

She said: “Hearing the news every night about what was going on in Syria I personally felt helpless, and I wanted to know if there was anything I could do.

“Things came to a head in September, with the picture of the Syrian boy washed up on the beach – a lot of people came together then.

“When we heard Darlington was going to be a dispersal area during the refugee crisis, we decided to work with the council and get involved.

“The refugees have come here under the Syrian Vulnerable Person Resettlement Program, so we take our responsibility towards them very seriously.”

The Syrian refugees began arriving in Darlington in April 2015, and since then all ten of the families have been successfully housed.

As a mentor, and also part of the language support team, Ms Forth has been heavily involved with helping the refugees integrate, which includes teaching them how to speak English.

Ms Forth said: “The English lessons are going well, they are receptive, they engage well and they really want to learn and are always asking for more.

“They are lovely, welcoming people and they are grateful for what we are doing.”

A Syrian food night was also hosted by the families last October, as they wanted to express gratitude to the local community for their donations and support.

Ms Forth has also called for more volunteers to apply to help out with DAR, in particular anyone who speaks Arabic.

The charity will have its own stall at the Volunteers’ Fair in the Dolphin Centre on February 2, where people will have the opportunity to join the group of more than 40 members.

For more information email darhelp@outlook.com or search for Darlington Assistance for Refugees on Facebook.