Chris Cuthill

I have known Bashir and his devotion to helping Asylum Seekers and Refugees for a long time. Whenever possible, I have supporter the work of Welcome House personally, but also in my current role as Hull and District President of the St Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic charity founded in 1833 in Paris specifically to help the poor and most disadvantaged people in society. It’s motto is ‘turning concern into action’ and the work of Welcome House reflects this vision perfectly. All its members are volunteers and several of our local members volunteer at Welcome House and Open Doors.

I am not sure what skills and qualities I can bring to the role. I taught in various schools in Hull throughout my career, serving as Deputy Head and Acting Head of St Richard’s Junior High School before moving to St Mary’s College where I retired as Senior Teacher. After retirement, I was a Governor at St Mary’s College for twelve years. I still serve on its Local Governing Board having a special interest in the pastoral care in the school. I am currently a Trustee of the Polish School which is situated on the College premises, but is independent from it. For twelve years, until it was forced to shut after a fire, I volunteered at the St Charles Drop in Centre for the Homeless, providing food and counselling every Tuesday and Friday.

I have been a supporter of Bashir and Welcome House for many years and would like the opportunity to help in the future development of such great work.