A refugee support group that has been helping asylum seekers being housed at a Newquay hotel has called on people to show them compassion ahead of a planned protest on Saturday.

Newquay Refugee Support Group says it is “sad” to see a “limited” amount of hostility in the community towards the asylum seekers following plans to stage the protest at the Beresford Hotel at Narrowcliff.

A spokesman said: “We would like to thank all those that have been so generously supporting the asylum seekers in Newquay, since their arrival to the Beresford hotel. 

“We have received so much support in terms of clothing donations, volunteers for ESOL and other activities, financial donations, and other kinds of support. We feel that this shows the true welcoming spirit of the Newquay community. 

“:We are however sad to see that there is a limited amount of hostility within our community towards the asylum seekers. 

“As a group, we have been supporting the asylum seekers since their arrival. 

“We have found the group to be warm, friendly, funny, but we have also noticed sadness and suffering. 

“We are particularly sad to see that a protest is being planned outside of the hotel. We cannot see this leading to any positive outcomes, and indeed it is confusing to us given that the decision to put this particular group of people into that particular hotel was taken by the Home Office in London. 

“It might be more effective to voice concerns to the decision makers directly. 

“We are very lucky to live in a country where we are able to voice our opinions, even if those opinions are criticizing our government. 

“There are many countries in the world where simply doing this can get you arrested, tortured, and even killed. 

“This is just one of the reasons that forces people to seek asylum. 

“We as a group will continue to provide support to refugees and asylum seekers in Newquay and continue to hope that it is not us that one day has to flee our country in fear of our lives, separating from our families and everything we know. 

“Lets have some compassion, as we would hope that people would have compassion for us if we ever needed it.”