PEOPLE are joining forces in a desperate bid to save a Hay Festival volunteer from being deported on Christmas Day.

Started by the Hay, Brecon and Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees charity, an online petition has now been signed by thousands.

It is calling on the government to save Otis Bolamu – "a much loved member of his community" – from imminent deportation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a country whose human rights record has been decried by organisations including Amnesty International.

Well-known in the town as a Hay Festival volunteer, the former Congolese government employee sought political asylum in Britain in the spring of 2018 after being informed by friends that he was suspected by President Joseph Kabila's regime of spying for the opposition and was in severe danger.

"He was refused leave to remain in August and is appealing that decision," the charity said.

Mr Bolamu was taken into detention by immigration officers at 4am last Wednesday during a raid on his home, and is currently held at Gatwick's Brook House Immigration Removal Centre pending deportation.

Due to the ongoing political unrest, state violence and deteriorating human rights situation, the UK government currently advises against all travel to large parts of the African country, and against all but essential travel to the rest of the nation.

The refugee charity said: "All he wants is to worship at his church on Christmas Day. Instead he is being sent into harm's way, with unseemly haste, on the most sacred of all days for Christians.

"This is a cruel example of the hostile environment at work. Such an action is not at all compatible with the Christmas message of love and compassion."

Urging the public to sign and share the petition, Hay Festival organiser Peter Florence, said: "HBTSR have been co-ordinating legal responses to plead time for his appeal.

"Otis is seeing lawyers in Gatwick today."

To sign the petition, visit https://www.change.org/p/the-home-secretary-save-otis-bolamu-from-imminent-deportation-to-the-drc