A CHARITY which helps persecuted and fleeing people who have found their way to Swindon from war-zones and dangerous regimes all over the world has received the royal seal of approval.

The Princess Royal will visit the town’s Harbour Project next month.

For more than a decade it has helped families and individuals from 80 troubled and war-ravaged countries.

Yesterday the charity’s chairman David Rowlands, a 65 year-old retired IT director, said: “We are absolutely delighted the Princess Royal has decided to pay us a visit.

“We are a small, local charity and such a visit means a lot to us. It is great recognition for the work that we do here.

”During her visit the Princess Royal will meet volunteers and also talk to the people we help which will give her a good overview of the project.”

The Princess Royal will visit the project’s drop-in centre in Broad Street, Central Swindon, on Tuesday, May 7.

The non-political, non-religious initiative was founded by a group of concerned Swindon people in response to the Kosovo crisis which saw tens of thousands of displaced families seek refuge overseas from civil war in the Balkans.

The aim of the project is to offer a welcome, safe haven and practical support to UK arrivals who have been directed to Swindon by the Home Office.

Swindon is one of four designated “dispersal towns” in the south west.

The others are Bristol, Gloucester and Plymouth. They all house people who have fled their homelands for a variety of reasons.

Today between 30 to 40 people seek help in various forms from the project’s team of volunteers at a hall at the rear of St Luke's Church.

Many are asylum seekers whose cases to remain in the UK are currently under review.

“Others are refugees who have been given permission to stay in the country.

The Harbour Project aids them in many ways, ranging from assisting with education and healthcare provision to helping them find jobs.

David, who lives in Old Town, became involved in the project after seeking community work following his retirement.

He said: “I saw the word ‘refugee’ in relation to the Harbour Project and thought ‘that sounds interesting.’ “Our drop-in centre is open five days a week where we offer refreshments, free internet access and telephone calls.

“We also have a secondhand clothes bank as well as other essential equipment like household goods.”

Volunteers also find themselves trying to help people link up with other members of their family dispersed around the globe.

“It can be challenging and exhausting work but very rewarding,” said David.

Currently the largest number of visitors to the Harbour Project come from Eritrea, Somalia, Afghanistan and Sudan where war and political upheaval are ongoing.

The project receives funds from Swindon Council and has had grants in the past from the Big Lottery, the Wiltshire And Swincon Community Fund and locally-based companies such as Zurich and Nationwide.