Labour peer Lord Alf Dubs has appealed for donations to fund the salary of a campaigner against faith schools.

Lord Dubs urged members of the public to donate to a humanist advocacy group’s JustGiving campaign, which has already raised £11,268 of its £40,000 target. 

The appeal, which cites the effects of the pandemic, seeks to cover Dr Ruth Wareham’s salary through 2021. 

Her role involves campaigning for “an end to state religious schools and religious discrimination in school admission,” according to the fundraising page.

In a statement, Lord Dubs criticised the “existence of discriminatory, taxpayer-funded faith schools” and praised Ms Wareham’s impact in Parliament.

“She’s helped to introduce a Bill in the Lords to replace compulsory Christian worship with inclusive assemblies, and she’s helped secure the introduction of compulsory relationships and sex education for all pupils in England and Wales. 

“If you recognise the importance of this work and don’t want it to stop, we need your support. Please donate today so that this work can continue through 2021."

A spokesperson for PaJeS, the umbrella group for Jewish education, defended the right to religious practice.

"Freedom of religious practice and education is one of the pillars of our society.

"Lord Dubs is a deeply compassionate man who fully understands what discrimination against children can lead to.  Many people will be saddened that such a good man, as a Humanist, does not understand the value of faith based education to children in Britain."