TWO Gwynedd MPs, on behalf of local school children, have kicked off 2017 in Westminster by delivering New Year messages urging the Prime Minister to consider the rhetoric used to talk about refugees.

School children made the cards throughout December to call on Theresa May to ensure the words she uses reflect the proud tradition in the UK of welcoming those in need, and to ask that her policies offer hope to those looking for a safe place to call home.

The campaign follows Christian Aid Wales’ 140-mile Bethlehem to Egypt walk across Wales to light the way for refugees, which has raised over £31,000 to date in support of the charity’s Christmas appeal.

The handmade cards were collected by the walkers along the route.

The school children learned about the appeal by hearing stories about refugees in the world today and learning about the reality facing people fleeing such violence and persecution.

Schools represented in Westminster included: Ysgol Pennal, Machynlleth; Ysgol OM Edwards, Llanuwchllyn; Ysgol Beuno Sant, Bala; Ysgol Sul Eglwys Noddfa, Caernarfon and Ysgol Foel Gron, Mynytho.

Presenting the cards in Westminster, Anna Jane Evans, Christian Aid’s area coordinator for north Wales said: “The stories told, either in the media or by our politicians, about the current refugee crisis rarely reflect the harsh reality facing our neighbours.

Representing the schools’ constituencies were Hywel Williams MP for Arfon and Liz Saville Roberts MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd.

Read the full story in this Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News