Mohammad and Amna Al Ali and their family, have thrown themselves into every volunteering opportunity they can get since they arrived in the UK on March 25, 2018.

They fled Syria after war broke out and, after spending months in a refugee camp in Jordan, finally got the opportunity to start a new life.

The couple along with their three children have been learning English in order to fit in. They decided that the best way to learn English while helping was to throw themselves into the community and help wherever they can.

The volunteering endeavours the couple of taken part in includes donations of clothes and household objects to people and help for other Syrians in the community. Mr Ali also volunteers at the Refuse café in Chester-le-Street and the local foodbank.

When Covid came they did not stop – during lockdown Mrs Ali spent 18 weeks baking for people, including those in social isolation because they are shielding or self-isolation.

They also cooked for 200 people at Pelton village war memorial, where the family put of a buffet.

Back in Syria, Mrs Ali owned a mini supermarket where she used to make yoghurt and cheese and sell it.

She said: “Muhammad always stands behind me and supports me with everything.

“Our life was very beautiful, but when the war came everything changed and we had to leave it all behind.

“Before we came here we knew no-one and we didn’t know any English – we didn’t know anything about England, only Princess Diana.”

Just two years on their English has come a long way and they now help translate for other Syrians in the area.

They have become community leaders for the ten Syrian families in Chester le-Street, becoming a point of contact for other the Syrian community.

This then take pressure off the key workers and other services.

Mr AliAli said: “I find it very safe here. We would like to say thank you to the government for giving us this opportunity to change our lives and we are very grateful. We will try to the best we can for this country in return.”