Students at John Cabot Academy recording backing vocals today for the protest song, with Rhian centre front
The campaign launched to try to stop the UK Border Agency from splitting up a Hanham family is gaining support.
Kingswood MP Chris Skidmore is urging people to sign a petition on his website and has called the plight of the Draper family, of Ansteys Road, a “tragic and distressing story”.
Mae Draper has been married to Kevin for 20 years and they have a 14-year-old daughter Rhian, who attends the John Cabot Academy in Kingswood.
Mr Skidmore said: “Mae is facing deportation simply because she was issued the wrong type of visa whilst in Manila. Currently in the second year of visa negotiations regarding permanent residency involving lawyers and the High Court, this latest refusal by the Upper Tribunal to grant residency has been a devastating blow to our family.
“Rhian endured a very disruptive year whilst separated from her mother who was in the Philippines, unable to gain entry to UK. She is torn between remaining here in the UK without her mother, or returning to the Philippines without her father. No child or family should have to make this sort of brutal, sacrificial choice, but more especially here in the UK which has so often lead the world, and been in the forefront of, humanitarian values and human rights issues.
“This is a tragic and distressing story and one which is totally unnecessary.”
The John Cabot Academy is supporting the family. Today a group of students went into school, even though it is their half-term holiday, where the head of music and arts Steve Clarke recorded them singing backing vocals to a protest song that Mr Draper has written.
Academy principal Jon Angell said: “We were saddened to hear of Rhian Draper’s family plight. My staff and I will work with and support Rhian and her family in whatever way we can. We sincerely hope common sense will prevail and there will be a positive outcome for Rhian and her family.”
Sign the petition at http://chrisskidmore.com/chris-campaigns/help-mae-draper/
