More aid going to Lesvos and Calais

Wed 20 Jan 2016, 09:48

Hi Jon, will there be any more aid going out? I've got things to donate but only just saw this, thank you.

Fri 15 Jan 2016, 09:32 (last edited on Fri 15 Jan 2016, 09:34)

Just received this message from a volunteer on Lesvos this morning:

Please try to get as many men's shoes as humanly possible and men's jeans/trousers/trek suit bottoms into the Lesvos bound container, that's where there is a serious shortage, we gave out plastic bags to use as socks today and to keep their feet dry, in the absence of dry replacement shoes!

Yes, more men than woman arrive, but the men also carry the kids and women off the boats, that's the main reason for the disproportionally high difference in need!

Phone 811378 and we will arrange for you to deliver before 10 on Saturday (tomorrow) morning.

Wed 13 Jan 2016, 18:29

Michele - thanks for this. The 'problem' with children's clothes seems to be that there is so much of it. At least in terms of what refugees need. 25% of refugees arriving in Europe are children, but the percentage of donated children's clothing seems to be greater than this.

One solution would be to hold a jumble/clothing sale and turn it all into money that can be donated to a relief agency, but CRAG doesn't have plans for one at the moment. Would you or anyone else reading this like to organise one!?

Wed 13 Jan 2016, 14:36

John do you know where we can donate kids' clothes? We have a few bits for adults, but lots of kids' stuff? thanks!

Wed 13 Jan 2016, 13:30

Im sorry but rather than helping people aboard how about helping people in this country what about all the poor people that lost there homes and everything in cumbria and all around that area thay have lost everything they have worked for.And then today i hear that the homeless shelter in oxford is closing down what about helping these people they need the same help and before anyone says yes i have helped with donations to the homeless of warm clothing

Wed 13 Jan 2016, 12:53 (last edited on Wed 13 Jan 2016, 19:23)

Charlbury people have contributed a lot of warm clothing, tinned food, sleeping bags etc to the refugee cause. Thank you very much indeed, on behalf of the many people you are helping. We have also raised a lot of money, and in a few days we will give you a breakdown of where it is going.

Charlbury Refugee Action Group is collecting more stuff this week to go in a container to Lesvos, for people beginning their long and freezing journey across Europe.

Items needed are:

Winter Clothing: Padded Jackets/Jumpers/Waterproofs etc
Food: Protein Bars, Healthy Snacks, Tinned Food (vegetarian), Cooking Oil
Mens/Womens Stout Footwear and Boots
Gloves
Hats
Blankets
Sleeping Bags (not Duvets)
WheelChairs
Child Carriers/Slings
Single Foam Mattresses (thin)

NO children's clothes please.

If you would like to contribute anything, please email charlburyrefugee@gmail.com or phone 01608 811378 and you can bring things round. We can accept items until 10am on Saturday at latest.

We would also like to draw your attention to this update from the camp at Calais, where the French are about to bulldoze at least 1000 'homes'. Strong and tireless young(ish) people, especially with DIY and construction skills, are needed very urgently. But needs change hourly: if you think you can be useful over there, you will find details of the ways you can help and the work to be done at www.calaidipedia.co.uk/breaking-news

This appeal was posted by Help Refugees this morning...

'Just wanted to let everybody know how things are going in the Calais camp. With the exact date of the forced eviction unclear, our team has been completely focused on working with the communities to identify the most vulnerable and with preparing everything needed in our building workshop to facilitate the relocation programme.

'This morning we will be pre-fabricating new shelters in the warehouse and getting them to camp by afternoon for the most vulnerable. We have a digger in place to clear ground but desperately still need building supplies, timber etc.

'Donations to our building fund can be made here: mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/shelter-building-calais

'Our record for shelters built in one day is 36, so it's now all hands on deck to match or beat that number. Once ground is cleared we also hope to manually move existing shelters to the new space. Our priority remains to support all of the residents in the camp, working especially hard to ensure the safety of the women and children in the affected areas.'

www.facebook.com/charlburyrefugee