THE growing refugee crisis has prompted many people in Northern Ireland to ask how they can help those fleeing from Syria and neighbouring countries to make the perilous journey into Europe.
In response, a group called Northern Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity has been set up to organise local collection points for essential items such as camping equipment, clothing, shoes and bedding and organisers are appealing for people to give what they can to support the effort.
Spokesperson, Elaine McCully said: “The people of Northern Ireland are known for their compassion and generosity to those in need and many people are keen to help with the refugee crisis but there hasn’t really been a co-ordinated opportunity to do this so far.
“The scale of the problem can seem so overwhelming and even many of the major charities are struggling to meet people at their point of need. The Irish Calais Refugee Solidarity group was set up with the aim of collecting clothes and supplies for a convoy of vehicles set to travel from Cork on 29th September.
“The Northern Ireland group was set up only a matter of days ago and already around two thousand people have pledged their support in one way or another with a number of regional groups being established.”
“We are looking for volunteers from across the Province to help co-ordinate efforts in their area, to sort and pack clothes and supplies and to deliver them to the main Irish collection point in Cork before they are taken on to Calais on 29th September. Those who cannot give their time but would like to assist financially towards transport and storage costs as well as additional aid on the ground can do so on the Ireland Calais Refugee Society page at Gofundme.com. We would encourage anyone who would like to volunteer to register their interest on the Northern Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity page on Facebook,” added Elaine.
“At the moment our main focus is to collect items for transport to Cork at the end of this month but there are also members of the group who are hoping to focus on supporting the aid effort in Greece and elsewhere in Europe. This is an international crisis and it is tempting to think that there is nothing we can do in Northern Ireland to make a difference but just providing warm clothing or shelter will at least give comfort to those who have been through so much and let them know that there are people out there who care about them,” she concluded.
Items currently required
Heavy duty rubbish bags
Tents, blankets and sleeping bags
Men’s warm winter clothes in sizes small and medium
Men’s hats, scarves and gloves
Men’s runners and walking shoes in standard sizes
Unused toiletry bags, toothpaste and toothbrushes, tissues, razors, shaving foam and soap
Bikes, bike tools, puncture repair kits
Medicine and first aid kits
At the moment, there is no need for women and children’s clothing and blankets and organisers are asking that only items listed are donated as there is no way to store or distribute items that are not required. Whilst clothing items, bikes, blankets, sleeping bags and tents may be second hand, they will need to be clean and in good condition.
At present women and children’s items are not required because over 90% of the refugees in Calais are male. However, excess items will be being distributed throughout other needy areas and won’t go to waste.
Some collection points and times
(a more detailed list can be found on the website – details below)
Belfast
Realta Social Centre, 48 King Street, Belfast, BT1, 6AD
(between 12pm and 2pm, 5pm and 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Ten Foundations, 233 Lisburn Road
(between 10am and 12 noon Monday-Thursday up to 17th September)
Alliance offices- Anna Lo
88 University Street and Chris Lyttle, 56 Upper Newtownards Road (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
Carrickfergus & East Antrim
East Antrim CRS
Gateway Church hall (by Four Seasons), Governor’s Place, Carrickfergus (2 – 4pm, Sunday September 13)
Offices of Stewart Dickson MLA
8 West Street, Carrickfergus (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Bangor
Flagship North Down Community Hub
(10am-3pm, Saturday 5th September)
Holywood
Crooked Mile Tatoo
13a-13b Church Road, Holywood (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
Limavady
Roe Valley Enterprise Agency
Unit 1, 1 Aghanloo Road, Limavady (9am-12noon, Tuesday-Friday and 2pm-4pm Saturday)
Lisburn
Social Enterprise Hub
4-6 Market Place (10am-4pm, Monday 7th- Thursday 10th September)
Lurgan
Antigua Furnishings
33 Waringstown Road, Lurgan (10am-4pm, Monday 7th- Thursday 10th September)
Mid-Ulster
Deerpark Farm
49 Oaklea Road, Ballyronan, Magherafelt (9am- to 11am and 5pm-8pm)
Steps Centre, Business Centre, Draperstown
(7.30-9.30am, Monday-Friday and Saturday 10am-12noon)
12 Deramore Road, Cookstown
(12 noon- 3pm daily)
Care Centre, Maghera
(9.30am-4.30pm, Tuesday- Friday)
Newry
Southern Group Enterprises
Unit 22 Greenbank Industrial Estate (10am-4pm, Saturdays 12th, 19th and 26th September)
Newry & Mourne Enterprise Agency
WIN Busines Park, Newry
North Antrim
Loughgiel Millenium Centre
(12.30-2pm on Sunday 13th September)
Downpatrick
Downpatrick Social Enterprise
Grove Shopping Centre, Downpatrick
Additional drop off points are being updated daily and will be posted to the main Facebook website and, where appropriate, to regional group pages.
For more information log onto www.nicalaisrefugeesolidarity.weebly.com or join the Facebook Group HERE
Collection Gallery
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