People seeking refugee protection in Scotland are not allowed to work until they are granted Refugee Status- this process can take months and even years, and is very emotionally exhausting. During this time, people have to live on Asylum support- this amounts to £39.62 per week, just £5.66 per day.This money has to cover food, household items, clothes, shoes, travel, mobile phone contracts and top ups, and all other daily items. For families, this also has to cover all school necessities such as uniform, books, pens, pencils, as well as toys and clothes for children.This budget makes day to day life extremely difficult for asylum seekers in Scotland and the rest of the UK, often being forced to choose between food and a bus ticket to be able to travel to meet their lawyer, or sacrifice a mobile phone top up which would allow them to speak to their family.

By living off £5 a day for 5 days I hope to gain a miniscule insight into some of the struggles people in the UK Asylum System experience, and to raise awareness of the extremely tough conditions they are forced to live in. By supporting me throughout the challenge with a small donation, you will help improve the situation of refugees trying to rebuild their lives in Scotland. All donated funds will be matched, so you can make a real, much-needed difference!