Syrian refugee brings success story to local business event

Razan Alsous

Successful entrepreneur Razan Alsous, founder of ‘Yorkshire Dama Cheese’, will be the guest speaker at Springhill Hospice’s next Business Buddies Big Breakfast on Wednesday 28 November.

Razan and her young family came to the UK after the war in Syria in 2012. They had lost almost everything and had to settle into a new life in Yorkshire. Initially they began searching for a job but despite having a pharmacy degree and a scientific background, Razan’s lack of references and work history in the UK made it extremely difficult.

So started Razan’s cheese-making journey. With a start-up loan of just £2,500 from the local Enterprise Agency, Razan had won the World Cheese Award Bronze Prize 2014/15, after just four months of production, highlighting the true quality of her cheese.

Corporate and Partnerships Fundraiser at Springhill Hospice, Sophie Ansley said, “We are very excited to welcome Razan to our pre-Christmas Big Breakfast event. This is a great opportunity to hear from someone whose story is truly inspirational.”

The Breakfast attracts many local businesses from across the borough, enjoying a morning of engaging guest speakers, great networking opportunities and all whilst supporting Springhill Hospice.

Springhill Hospice’s Business Buddies scheme provides a unique opportunity to build strong, mutually beneficial partnerships to develop corporate support and generate sustainable income and relationships with the local community. It helps to promote businesses through a series of regular networking events and provides a platform for partnership working.

The Big Breakfast is open to all and places can be booked by ringing Sophie at Springhill Hospice Fundraising on 01706 641790 (option 1) or emailing sophie.ansley@nhs.net. Tickets are £5 or free to members of Business Buddies.

The event will take place at Springhill Hospice on Wednesday 28 November starting at 8am. Anyone who signs up for Business Buddies on the day will have their £5 refunded.