Campaign to Stop the Deportation of Roseline Akhalu

Roseline arrived in the UK in September 2004 from Nigeria on a student visa, to study for a Masters Degree at Leeds University.

She unexpectedly developed end stage renal failure in 2005 and remained on dialysis until she was fortunate enough to receive a kidney transplant at St. James Hospital, Leeds in July 2009.

Roseline has applied for leave to remain in the UK but has been refused. Roseline’s consultant has stated that unless Roseline is able to continue taking immunosuppressant drugs which are costly and unavailable in parts of Nigeria, her transplanted kidney will fail and she would have to resort to dialysis again –a treatment she could not afford. Without this she will die.

Roseline has never been allowed to work and has been supported since 2007 by parishioners from St Augustine’s RC Church, Harehills and the St Vincent de Paul Society. Roseline is loved and respected by her fellow parishioners and many people in the wider community who have formed close friendships with her over the past four years. In spite of her health problems, Roseline has volunteered tirelessly in the parish and is actively involved in a number of community based groups.

Please sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-deportation-of-transplant-patient-roseline-ak/sign.html#se calling on the government to grant Roseline Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.

Also email a letter like this:

Please send a copy of your letter to Esme Madill at e.madill@btinternet.com
MODEL LETTER

To email please use the following addresses:

mayt@parliament.uk
UKBApublicenquiries@UKBA.gsi.gov.uk
CITTO@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk Privateoffice.external@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

Dear Home Secretary

HO Ref No A1344782
I am writing to express my shock and disbelief at your decision not to grant compassionate leave to remain to kidney transplant patient Roseline Akhalu. The representations made by her MP, Greg Mulholland; The Right Reverend John Packer, Bishop of Ripon and Leeds; the National Kidney Federation; the Joint Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Kidney Group; Rose’s consultants and well over a thousand petitioners should have convinced you of the grave threat to life that would inevitably follow her return to Nigeria where neither she nor her family have the means to provide the necessary drugs to keep her kidney functioning.

Furthermore, the exceptional and unique nature of this case has understandably generated considerable public sympathy around the world for Rose’s plight. I and Rose’s fellow supporters are outraged that this well loved member of her local parish and community will now have to persuade the courts to uphold a right to life that you seem prepared to deny.

Please rest assured that I will continue to support Rose in her brave campaign to to honour the wish of the donor and their family that this precious gift of life should not be wasted.

Yours sincerely

XXXXXX