A group from Bitterne Park collected donations to take to 'The Jungle' refugee camp in Calais on January 30. One of the group, Karen Armstrong, sent us these words and pictures documenting their visit.
Thank you for all your donations. Look how much we had!
This van was full to the brim! However, when we arrived at the warehouse having sort of sorted it, we found out we had to properly sort it: ‘men’s trouser’s’ ‘women’s coats’ etc. Ouch…. it took eight of us four hours solid. What was good about it was that we got to see the incredible operation that is ‘the warehouse’. It is solely run by charities, and mostly volunteers.
They have an amazing kitchen, and serve lunch to all the volunteers (it was delicious :))
They make a hot meal for 300 refugees everyday too!
Then we went to the camp.
You really do need wellies here.
It was encouraging to see that people’s tents/huts were a little bit warm and cosy. They are proud of their homes, and some invited us inside.
We found some new art on the camp.
as well as some new businesses:
These are the ‘doctors' surgeries':
and this is the general feeling on the camp:
Our local bike shop ‘Rideride’ kindly donated lots of boxes of inner tubes and brake pads to help Alistaire from the Miracle Street charity repair the young people’s broken bicycles.
If you feel you want to help further, you can volunteer with, or donate to:
http://www.helprefugees.org.uk/
http://www.miraclestreet.com/
Once again, thank you for all your donations. We really do have a fantastic community.
Words & pics: Karen Armstrong
Previously
Group visiting Calais Jungle camp appeals for donations
Audio: Huge response to goods for refugees appeal at St Denys
Link
The horror of the Calais refugee camp: ‘We feel like we are dying slowly’ - Guardian