It is said that a picture can say a thousand words. The recent photograph of a toddler’s body washed up on a beach in Turkey has been the catalyst for many people springing into action to try and help refugees who are fleeing war-torn countries, making dangerous crossings into Europe and living in difficult conditions when they arrive.
For single mum, Laura Campbell, from Radstock, this image was all too much. Taking to social media, Laura began appealing for donations online so that she could take two van-loads to Calais during October half-term. This was picked up by Lucy Milner, from Midsomer Norton’s Wunderbar and in 24 hours, the pair had set up a Facebook page, titled ‘Midsomer Norton Aid for Refugees’.
Within less than a week, word has spread and Laura and Lucy have been rushed off their feet with local volunteers joining them along the way. The situation is rapidly changing and by Sunday last week, there were similar groups appearing across the UK and close by, in Bath and Bristol, with Bristol’s Mayor announcing the council would provide storage space for donations.
“I would sit and watch the news and wanted to do something about the situation,” said Laura, “But I just didn’t know where to start. I saw via Facebook that a friend of a friend, Libby Freeman, had been over to Calais and had started a group, Calais Action.
“I began to put together some wash kits and my original idea was to get donations to London, but with Lucy’s help, we can start a real local effort. The situation was so out of control, it’s awful and I can’t just sit and watch. If you donate, then that is doing something.
“Such has been the public’s response that Calais Action is now reporting that there is not enough storage space currently for all of the donations. So we will be collecting for now and will be in touch frequently with the group for updates. The best thing people can do at the moment is to donate money, that way, the teams at the source can spend it on what is really needed.” Lucy added: “As well as families with young children, there are large groups of young men who have walked for miles on end to escape war and cross an ocean, they are desperate and it is heartbreaking – we just want to do what we can.”
To donate, readers can visit: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/laura-campbell or visit the Facebook page. If you would prefer to donate items, the team are looking for clothing, waterproofs, shoes or trainers, socks, hats, gloves, jumpers and scarves, anything which will keep people dry and clean as autumn and winter approaches. Sleeping bags, tents, blankets, wooden pallets and canvas sheets are also wanted, as are toiletries and toilet rolls. Items can be left at Midsomer Norton Town Hall and Radstock’s Victoria Hall during the day and the Wunderbar in Midsomer Norton in the evenings. Collection can be arranged if those donating are unable to travel.
The group also plan to fundraise in coming weeks with local events and will be receiving vouchers from local supermarkets to help buy supplies for refugees. They are also appealing to local companies who would like to be involved and to anyone who can offer storage space.
If you are donating items, please size and label them and items must be clean. The next task for the group will be to size and sort what has already been donated. Eventually, the local group aim to take supplies to Calais and Kos in person.
In recent months, B&NES Council has been discussing the possibility of housing fifty Syrian refugees. This Thursday, Cllr Sarah Bevan, (Independent), the Local Authority’s Human Rights Advocate, will give a statement to the Council Chamber, a copy of which has been sent to The Journal. It says: ‘This Council’s July resolution not to confirm our willingness to accept fifty desperate people from Syria into this authority’s area was forced upon us after the motion to accept them was overturned by the controlling party. Our only alternative to standing by and doing nothing was to wait for details of an official relocation scheme. This feels in the light of this ever-increasing human catastrophe, which was well in evidence then, like feeble prevarication hiding behind fear and deference to bureaucracy.
‘Bristol has already done more than give an indication of the City Council’s intention to help. The Bristol Refugee Rights drop-in centre is at this very moment giving destitute refugees what every human being needs. We could do that today, now.’
On Monday this week, David Cameron announced that the UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years, with vulnerable children prioritised. Labour argue that this figure is not enough. George Osborne has also announced that millions of pounds from Britain’s foreign aid budget will be used to help local councils resettle refugees.