Brian Cunningham, the beloved director of Bedfordshire Refugee and Asylum Seeker Support (BRASS), has passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 61.
Brian led BRASS for over 15 years, developing the charity in its services, size and scope. BRASS now supports more than 950 refugees and asylum seekers each year and is firmly embedded in the local community.
BRASS’s Chair of Trustees, Morris Johns, said the following, “Brian was more than a leader – he was the heart of our charity.
“His vision, compassion, tireless dedication to BRASS’s mission of supporting refugees from around the world, and making them feel at home, have touched countless lives and inspired us all.”
Charity leader
As a charity leader, Brian was skilled, knowledgeable, modest and kind. Above all, he was committed to improving lives, and he devoted his whole working life to this goal.
Brian had initially pursued a science career. He completed his BSc in Psychology/Biology (Plymouth) and an MSc (London Metropolitan University).
Brian then began studying for a PhD in Neuroscience (London); at this time, he worked as a science technician, conducting research into Alzheimer’s Disease.
During this period, Brian had also been volunteering as a receptionist at Toynbee Hall Free Legal Advice Centre, which provided free advice on issues including employment, housing, debt, general advice, and immigration.
Encouraged by the lawyers at Toynbee, Brian applied to be the centre’s coordinator – a role he held from 2001 to 2009.
In that time, Brian expanded the centre’s advice sessions from one evening per week (with 8 volunteers) to five sessions per week (with 50+ volunteers).
Whilst at Toynbee, Brian also began serving as a lay magistrate, a role he held for 17 years. Brian had an excellent understanding of the UK’s legal system, which would also prove highly beneficial for his work in the refugee sector.
In 2009, Brian became the director of BRASS. Once again, Brian’s work had a huge impact. The organisation grew from just one member of paid staff (Brian!) and a small team of volunteers to the well-established organisation that it is today.
BRASS now has seven staff members and provides life-changing support to nearly 1,000 refugees and asylum seekers each year. The charity is well known and well respected in Bedfordshire.
BRASS has been overwhelmed by the many tributes to Brian that have been flooding in.
Brian will be widely remembered for his compassion and humility, both in Bedfordshire and beyond. His legacy will live on – both through BRASS’s work and through the incredible impact that he had on so many lives.
BRASS will be holding a memorial service for Brian in due course.
