Emergency aid to refugees: Sunday collecting

Sun 1 Nov 2015, 21:49 (last edited on Sun 1 Nov 2015, 21:50)

Thank you to all the people who contributed to this collection. You were very generous and very kind. Masses of clothing, bedding, blankets, tents, medicines, food etc will be driven to Lesvos on November 15. We took two cars full from Charlbury to the the collection point today.

If you want a local update from Lesvos, here is one among many:
https://www.facebook.com/merel.graeve/posts/10154429309253747

If you want to be actively involved in a committee to engage in future work in Charlbury in support of refugees, please come to our meeting on Wednesday. Corner House at 8pm. Or email charlburyrefugee@gmail.com Definitely for workers only!!

Sat 31 Oct 2015, 17:08

Non-Facebook users may be able to follow stories here without logging in.
https://www.facebook.com/HumansOfTheRefuge/

Fri 30 Oct 2015, 16:04

Thanks to those of you who have already contributed DIY stuff, pallets, and warm clothing and blankets. Deadline for further contributions is Sunday at 1pm.

I know people are reading this, so just in case you think Lesvos is the only Greek island where this is happening, take a moment…

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Fri 30 Oct 2015, 14:53 (last edited on Fri 30 Oct 2015, 16:07)

This report in the New York Times brings together some of the most 'interesting' recent videos and reports.

www.nytimes.com/2015/10/30/world/europe/as-more-children-drown-volunteers-on-greek-island-say-rescues-are-left-largely-to-them.html?_r=1

Fri 30 Oct 2015, 11:44

Caravans for vulnerable families in Calais

Caravans for Calais is a remarkable group of volunteers collecting unwanted caravans from all over the UK and driving them to the 5000+ strong refugee camp across the Channel, where they are used to house vulnerable refuges and families with children. One is even being used as a dental clinic!

If you have a caravan you no longer use, or wish to donate to the costs involved (they are also buying cheap caravans on eBay), please see further information at caravansforcalais.org.uk where the Menu includes the option of donating a caravan. They also post up to date information on Facebook.

Fri 30 Oct 2015, 09:53

"Translator volunteer needed.urgently. If you can speak Farsi and/or Arabic fluently and can volunteer for 1, 2 or more weeks in Lesvos and/or Samos helping doctors with translation, please contact me. Your flight and expenses will be provided! Thanks! Please PM me."

Please contact Alexandra Molina Vinter on Facebook, or through me, if you can help, or know someone who can. She posted this on Refugees Welcome - UK. Charlbury is a multilingual town!

Wed 28 Oct 2015, 23:36 (last edited on Wed 28 Oct 2015, 23:37)

From the team in Hooky:

"UPDATE on Sunday's collection: We now have a distributor who will take emergency supplies to Lesbos. As well as warm clothing, sleeping bags and tents, we can also take non-perishable food items particularly tinned tuna, dried fruit and nuts, tinned fruits, plain chocolate, energy bars, biscuits, rice pudding, 500 ml water bottles and tin openers.

We are so grateful to everyone who has supported us so far. Looking forward to seeing you at the Youth Hall in Hooky between 11 and 4 on Sunday."

Or deliver in Charlbury as below.

Wed 28 Oct 2015, 22:49 (last edited on Thu 29 Oct 2015, 08:22)

For more, see here: www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lliana-bird/refugee-crisis-lesbos_b_8388988.html There appears to be nothing about this on the regular media. One or two websites follow real news, but the best place is Facebook. See especially the daily posts by Merel Graeve, Volunteers-Coordination Lesvos, Caravans for Calais, Humans of the Refuge, and CalAid. For alternative news and reporting generally, follow The Canary on Facebook or on their website, also the Huffington Post.

Here is an astonishing report from Eric Kempson, whose family has been helping refugees landing on Lesvos for many months:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ4f8NBupog&feature=youtu.be

Just some ideas if you are wondering where the news has disappeared to!

Wed 28 Oct 2015, 20:40 (last edited on Thu 29 Oct 2015, 07:31)

Charlbury Refugee Action has just received this appeal from colleagues in Hook Norton:

"Dear all,

"We are writing to you with a massive plea. The situation in Lesbos, Greece is absolutely horrendous . Families are cold, hungry and in desperate situations. We are doing a emergency collection this Sunday in…

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Wed 28 Oct 2015, 20:32