Celebrating 20 Years of PARCA

Peterborough Asylum and Refugee Community Association (PARCA) celebrated their 20th Anniversary last week with 200 guests including dignitaries, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Mr Benjamyn Damazer the Mayoress of Peterborough Councillor Shabina Qayyum as well as service users of PARCA. The event was held at the Peterborough College in Park Crescent, who kindly provided the venue for the evening as part of their working in partnership with PARCA. The programme was filled with vibrant entertainment representing many nations including Bhangra drums, Bollywood dancers as well as dancers from Lithuania, Latvia, East Timor and Bulgaria who along with guests were dressed in their traditional costumes.

This was interspersed with speeches from Moez Nathu, CEO of PARCA who gave his story of how he first arrived in the city to present day and Adrian Chapman Executive Director for Place and Economy at Peterborough City Council. Adrian said “PARCA epitomises everything that is good about Peterborough, No, is never part of your vocabulary. As an organisation you are such a trusted partner of the Council and I am so privileged and proud to fund the work that you do with refugees and asylum seekers. I also regard you as a friend of the Council and of this city.” He continued, “I was humbled by Moez’s speech and recognise how in 1997 when Moez first came to

Peterborough from a war zone with his family, not able to speak a word of English, it must have been terrifying”. He went on to say about Moez and PARCA, ‘You are a bright light in our city and the Queen’s award for Voluntary Service that you achieved was just incredible. Thank you on behalf of the Peterborough City Council, because without PARCA, Peterborough would not be the city that it is.”

This was followed by a cake cutting ceremony by the Vice Lord-Lieutenant and a few words by the Mayoress of Peterborough thanking PARCA for the work they do. Guests went on to enjoy music and a buffet to round off a truly memorable occasion.

To see more about the event please see our social media pages or visit our website www.parcaltd.org alternatively for more information about PARCA telephone 01733 563420.