A group of Syrian refugees have repaid locals of a Welsh town for the “welcome” they received by handing out flowers of gratitude.
The families on Tuesday handed out flowers as a way of repaying Aberystwyth locals for making them feel welcome when they arrived at the seaside town in December.
Each flower had a tag with the words “Diolch i chi am eich croeso/ Thank you for welcoming us.... Syrian refugees.”
Eleven refugees were relocated to the town at the end of last year. According to Wales Online, the group are among 50 so far taken in by Welsh councils under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement scheme.
Lindsay Cardwell shared pictures of the refugees gesture on Facebook and wrote: “Some of Syrian refugees living in Aberystwyth who were out on the prom today giving out flowers as a way of showing their gratitude for the welcome they have received, such a lovely gesture.”
Johnny Gaunt replied: “They’re safe, and their children will hopefully have already forgotten much of what they’ve been through. Well done to everyone who helped get them here, and to Aberystwyth for being so welcoming.”
Hannah Engelkemp passed the refugees while walking with her five-month-old son and told Wales Online she was “overwhelmed” by the gesture.
She was told by one group of refugees that they had walked 17 days through Greece and Croatia to find safety.
Engelkemp added: “Whatever I was worrying about before paled swiftly as I asked them a bit about their lives.
“Ahmad said he’d walked for 17 days, through Greece and to Croatia. I almost said ‘Oh, I like long walks too!’ before thankfully catching myself. Fleeing for your life doesn’t really rank as a hobby.”