My Journey to British Citizenship
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From Britain to British
For years I have struggled with getting a passport because according to our government, being born here does not make me British.
I was born in St Luke’s hospital in Bradford West Yorkshire. I studied in Carlisle Cumbria and I am a qualified teacher. Now I work full time for the Local government whilst paying into the same system that denies me what I believe to be my identity.
Without British citizenship I cannot get a passport. I don’t know what it is like to visit family abroad, I never met my elderly grandparents before they passed, I don’t know what it’s like to book a spontaneous trip or feel the holiday sun.
A few weeks ago i wrote to my MP for help and he was lovely enough to contact the passport office on my behalf, but nothing changed. They said I don’t class as British but I could apply for a whopping £1163 + £80 admin fee!
At first I felt guilty at the thought of crowd funding but so many of encouraged me to go for it so here I am!
If I am lucky enough to raise more than my target, my plan is to hold a concert/fundraiser to raise more awareness and donate to an immigration focused charity that I will announce on my FB page.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to do this. Your love and support has given me more hope than I could have dreamed of! Finally, thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read this, who have taken the time to share and donate. I am forever in your debt.
For years I have struggled with getting a passport because according to our government, being born here does not make me British.
I was born in St Luke’s hospital in Bradford West Yorkshire. I studied in Carlisle Cumbria and I am a qualified teacher. Now I work full time for the Local government whilst paying into the same system that denies me what I believe to be my identity.
Without British citizenship I cannot get a passport. I don’t know what it is like to visit family abroad, I never met my elderly grandparents before they passed, I don’t know what it’s like to book a spontaneous trip or feel the holiday sun.
A few weeks ago i wrote to my MP for help and he was lovely enough to contact the passport office on my behalf, but nothing changed. They said I don’t class as British but I could apply for a whopping £1163 + £80 admin fee!
At first I felt guilty at the thought of crowd funding but so many of encouraged me to go for it so here I am!
If I am lucky enough to raise more than my target, my plan is to hold a concert/fundraiser to raise more awareness and donate to an immigration focused charity that I will announce on my FB page.
Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to do this. Your love and support has given me more hope than I could have dreamed of! Finally, thank you to those of you who have taken the time to read this, who have taken the time to share and donate. I am forever in your debt.
Organizer
Irene Kaali
Organizer
