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Charlbury does more than ever for refugees

Refugees in camps in Calais are literally running out of food, at the same time as their numbers increase daily.

But the good news is that Charlbury Refugee Action Group continues to be able to help, thanks to your fundraising and contributions. One member found £30 in the street and gave it to CRAG! Another has set up a standing order to CRAG for £25 a month. While the Strings and Pipes group at Charlbury Baptist church donated the proceeds from their recent entertaining and enjoyable concert. This was given through the church, which was able to add Gift Aid, with the result that £375 came to CRAG.

All this has replenished our funds, so we have just sent £500 to Calais Kitchens, who distribute food packages to people who self-cater, in particular mothers and children, as well as supplying food to the several free kitchens in the camp where volunteers and refugees cook daily meals. Another local member has donated £500 direct to Calais Kitchens and added Gift Aid. That brings the total sent to feed refugees in Calais from Charlbury in the last few days to £1125. We have also collected more sleeping bags and blankets which local volunteers have driven to Calais themselves.

Last week local refugee support groups were asked if anyone could help arrange an emergency trip for a father and his two children to visit his wife and a third very sick child in hospital in Southampton. CRAG came up trumps. Thank you Sophie!

In August young refugees from Oxford will be coming to play cricket with members of Charlbury CC. Apparently some of the Afghans in particular are very enthusiastic!

The Adopt-a-Room scheme to furnish homes for families arriving in Witney this summer was an immense and immediate success, thanks to stalwart work by the Witney and Hooky refugee action groups, as well as to Charlbury Quakers; Liz Soar and friends; to members of three local meditation groups; and to Churches Together in Charlbury who have bought gift vouchers so families can go shopping for themselves. It is wonderful to see so many caring people contributing in so many ways to help make these families feel truly loved and welcome.

Last month we helped get money and tracksuits together for Lucinda to take to Dunkirk. She's written an account of her visit here: mumfirstdoctorsecond.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/back-to-france.html?m=1 Thank you to all who helped.

If you would like to join the mailing list for Charlbury Refugee Action Group, please sign up at eepurl.com/bCX1bz Our newsletters will keep you informed about everything we do. And you can follow our daily news at www.facebook.com/charlburyrefugee

Some people prefer to make donations direct to charities working on the ground with volunteers helping refugees. The web pages for two that we recommend are mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/calaiskitchens and mydonate.bt.com/charities/helprefugees

Once again, thank you to Charlbury for all that you do. Contact us at charlburyrefugee@gmail.com for further information.

Jon Carpenter · Sun 10 Jul 2016, 15:53 · Link


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