RESTAURANT owners in Cowley Road are getting together this week in an attempt to raise much-needed funds for refugees.

A diverse range of eateries, from curry houses to falafel takeaways, are chipping in to support their neighbour the charity Refugee Resource during Refugee Week, which started yesterday.

More than ten restaurants, cafés and bars are involved including Le Kesh, Café Tarifa, Majliss, Malikas, Kadai & Naan, Vine, Za’atar Bake, Aleppo’s Falafel, G & D’s Café, Yeti and Millefeuille.

Loylu Miah, manager and owner of the curry house Majliss, who himself is originally from the Sylhet region of Bangladesh said: “We want to help local refugee people.

"That is why we are getting involved.”

READ ALSO: Andy Serkis hails Robin Cavendish plaque in Drayton St Leonard

Customers can contribute in different ways, depending on the restaurant.

Some are offering the chance to add a donation to the final bill or by placing a donation in an envelope.

Others have collection tins at the tills where customers pay.

Oxford Mail:

Evie Boyles of the Spanish-style Café Tarifa, said: "As a company, we want to make sure we're acting positively to help contribute to a better influence in the world, not stand by and watch."

All funds raised will go to Refugee Resource, who are based at the Old Music Hall in Cowley Road.

The charity provides therapeutic, social and practical support for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants in Oxfordshire.

It has been supporting refugees and other vulnerable migrants for 20 years by providing counselling and other practical support to those who have experienced trauma and/or loss to help them recover and build new lives in the UK.

It holds weekly activities for people based in and around the Cowley Road including regular meet-ups of the women’s group which last year held a pop-up café for the community at the East Oxford Community Centre as a way of giving back to the local area.

READ ALSO: Oxfordshire Reuses: Oxford's new 'zero waste' recycling event

Kate Hood, CEO of Refugee Resource, said: “We are delighted that our neighbours on the Cowley Road are helping us to support refugees in Refugee Week.

"Many of our refugee clients see the Cowley Road area as an important focus for their community life - people who have had to leave their homes and families to seek refuge in the UK - so it is wonderful that this community is rallying together to help those who need our support. Thank you to all taking part.”

Refugee Week events are taking place across the city every day until Sunday.

Tomorrow, The Tap Social in North Hinksey Lane will host live bands playing music inspired by cultures from around the world.

On Thursday Asylum Welcome will host speakers including the Lord Mayor Of Oxford Craig Simmons at its 'Weaving Networks of Support' event in the Wesley Memorial Church, New Inn Hall Street.

It will be capped off on Saturday by a picnic, organised by the Refugee Resource Women's Group, and a Windrush memorial lecture.