Aid for Refugees

I have sent my clothes and given my little savings , I know what I have given will get to them, they have been taken by people I know , also please give blankets , nights are cold

I can understand blankets and sleeping bags but second hand clothing, really ?

Yes, jumpers and jackets , I couldn't afford to buy new

Once I've found a collecting point here I thought I would scour the many local charity shops for good clothing (apparently men's clothing is desperately needed) that way I will be helping on two fronts. We have just emptied out wardrobes for the two charity bags that came last week.

I'll put the link on again in case anyone is unable to do anything physically but would like to make a monetary donation.
A donation of money may seem a simple thing to do, but people on the ground in Turkey know what is needed, and the best places to source essentials and how to get it to those in need with drivers they trust.
It does cost a lot of money to post parcels to Turkey - I have asked Royal Mail if they have a special rate for charity parcels - but NO was the answer.

Of course, this small charity helps the smaller refugee camps in Turkey and the Lebanon and also people risk their lives by going into Syria; however, help is needed in so many places now.

love-in-the-language-of-yarn.blogspot.co.uk/

Does anyone know of any collection points in the greater Belfast area? I would gladly contribute lots of hardly worn children's clothes and toys.

Can't get a link for it, but there was mention of a man called Richard Snape who is the manager of a flooring company in Belfast who has put something on facebook to say he is taking a vanload of stuff to Calais next week.
There is a lorry going with him tomorrow, I think, so you'll have to be quick to find him. He has a warehouse in Belfast.

www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/03/refugee-crisis-what-can-you-do-to-help

Thanks Durhamjen I'll follow that up. I've probably missed that first run, although I would like to send help to mothers and children and I don't think there are too many in the Calais camp. Richard may know of something.

Surprising that this thread only had 10 posts whereas the other ones on refugees go on and on ...

Anyway - Bump

love-in-the-language-of-yarn.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/lily-helping-syrian-families.html?spref=fb

I have packed four backpacks (corresponding to the ages of my DGC) for refugee children in Greece made up of a mix of my DGC outgrown clothes and some new items. They are being organised sent by a group of local parents. it has made me feel a little less impotent in this distressing situation.
gogetfunding.com/haslemeres-gift-of-hope/

Granddaughter's school has just sent a list of things needed as two parents are taking a van to Hungary next week. Granddaughter thought she had to give everything on the list, so we told her that there would not be enough room in the van if everyone in the school did that.

Bless her, how sweet

How lovely to hear that people are rallying round. Some occasions really do bring out the best out when needed.

That's lovely and makes them aware of what is happening to other people.

Refugee camps in Turkey are also desperately short of paper, pencils, crayons, etc for schoolchildren.

I really think donating through UNICEF is the best way to help, if you can. Won't they be inundated with cuddly toys and unsuitable secondhand clothing?

I agree about the cuddly toys, they aren't what's needed. Thanks for that information, rosequartz, those things sound like something a lot of us could lay our hands on/buy and could be easier to transport.

I think some the large charities are probably doing a sterling job, but the little charity I support (LILY) seems to find camps that have not been helped by the larger charities and also helps by sending aid into Syria itself.

There are still so many refugees falling through the net.
And Christian Aid refused to offer any money to help this small charity transport aid to where they know it is needed.
Not very Christian imo, so I won't give to them any more.

They have to cream off their over-inflated salaries, expenses, money for 4x4s and 1st class travel first, of course.
Which very small charities don't.

Actually, I do think a new (or very clean) cuddly toy would be welcomed by a small child who has nothing; it could be a great comfort.

I stand corrected!

We were asked originally not to send second-hand clothes - some that were sent were not suitable - and not clean would you believe it!; although second-hand good and clean children's clothes were requested.

I have always just made knitted clothes and squares for blankets which are needed in the harsh Turkish winters; however, things have changed so rapidly now that the needs are greater and may be different. Money can always be spent on what those on the ground may consider is most urgently needed.

Ana

Did anyone see the footage on the news of the little boy blowing bubbles from one of those little bottles that we all played with as kids?

Such a simple distraction as the police were turning people back from the Serbian/Hungarian border.