David BaleA teacher has organised a concert to support and raise awareness of a family facing deportation from the city.As reported, Scholastica Mokake, 45, and her children Gabriel Mokake, 18, and Severin Mokake, 13, from Wall Road, are facing deportation to Tanzania - despite living here for nine years.David Bale

A teacher has organised a concert to support and raise awareness of a family facing deportation from the city.

As reported, Scholastica Mokake, 45, and her children Gabriel Mokake, 18, and Severin Mokake, 13, from Wall Road, are facing deportation to Tanzania - despite living here for nine years.

Mrs Mokake has been told by the UK Border Agency she has until June 28 to reapply for a post study visa after her first application was refused because she had failed to provide a certificate prov-ing her academic qualifications.

But a campaign has been launched to try and keep the family in Norwich, and teacher Cordelia Spence hopes the concert will raise more awareness of their plight.

She was an assistant head teacher at the Hewett School in Norwich, where Gabriel Mokake is in the sixth form, until last July and she still teaches part-time at the school.

She said: 'As part of the campaign to raise awareness of the deportation and to support this wonderful family I am organising a concert to be held at the Hewett on Friday, July 25 at 7.30 pm in the Walter Roy Theatre.

'We are expecting many local performance groups who have worked with Gabriel to participate in the event.

'Gabriel has scholarship offers from two of the highest rated and most competitive stage schools in the country to continue his education, so this format seemed a really appropriate way to show our support to him and his family.'

As reported, an online petition at www.petitiononline.com/helpgm/petition.html has been set up for people to sup-port the family.

The UK Border Agency said Ms Mokake is welcome to reapply for the visa with the correct documentation and would not face removal from the UK while an application was outstanding.

However, Mrs Mokake said she could not confirm her academic qualifications until she picks up her certificate of graduation in philosophy from the UEA on July 13.

Concert tickets can be purchased from the school (01603 628181) for a minimum donation of �5.

Are you facing deportation from Norwich? Ring reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.