Over the last week you may have been moved by the tragic scenes of a dead body of a child washed up on a beach or refugees crammed on the train platforms, seeking sanctuary in Europe from the humanitarian crisis that has enveloped their home countries.
These scenes have brought the plight of thousands of refugees in Calais into the consciousness of many Islanders.
So much so, that a community effort has been organised to collect donations from residents that will be taken over to Calais, to help those who’ve travelled with just the clothes on their backs.
Drop-off points
A list of the locations are below, but we’ve created a map to make them easier.
Calbourne: New Barn Farm, Sun Hill, Calbourne, PO30 4JA Tues and Weds mornings from 8am until 12.30 and then from 6pm until 8pm
Cowes: Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Ave, Cowes, PO31 8HB Please take any items to the reception and please make sure they are securely bagged or boxed.
Cowes Club, Gurnard Pines, PO31 8QE. Leave items at the Spar Shop. Drop off daily from 7 am to 8pm.
Lake: Cath’s Clothing, 10 Desmond Price Close, Lake PO36 9PB 7 days a week, anytime, leave outside if no one is in.
Newport: Signpost Express, 1 Dodnor Lane, Newport, PO30 5XE Mon – Fri 9 am to 4 pm
Newport: Staples, Newport. Mon – Fri 8am – 8pm | Sat 9-6pm | Sun 10-4pm
Niton: Tregear Pottery, Niton High Street. Leave items under the covered area to the right of the pottery and we will store and deliver them! Will put drop off sign in Window.
Queen Bower: 6 The Bower, Alverstone Rd, Queen Bower, Sandown. PO36 0LD
10am – 7pm Tuesday or Thursday. Saturday 10am – 4pm. Look out for a small stone model of Bonchurch Old Church on the front lawn. Leave donations in the porch at the front of house if no one answers.
Ryde: Aspire Cafe in Dover Street, Ryde PO33 2BN. Drop off open until 17th September on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10am to 4pm.
Shalcombe: Chessell Pottery Barns, Brook Road, PO41 0UE. Drop off any time.
Ventnor: Church Street Motorcycles, Church Street, Ventnor – Mon-Fri 8:30am – 5:30 pm and Saturday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
All items collected will be sorted then delivered to CalAid on the 20th September.
The majority of the refugees in Calais are men which is why the requirements (see below) are so specific.
You can also find out more about the campaign by visiting the Facebook Event Page
Help needed
The collection campaign was started by Abigail Fox, but the popularity of those wanted to donate has snowballed overnight and Abi could do with some hands-on help.
If you can offer some time to help collect, sort and deliver the items, just take a little time to complete the form by clicking on the button below.
What’s needed
The requirements from CalAid is changing, but at time of publishing, here’s what they say is needed. Before donating you could check their Website for the latest list.
What we BADLY need:
SHOES: trainers or hiking shoes size 41-46
TENTS, COVERS, TARPAULIN
JACKETS: size SMALL and MEDIUM only
TRAVELLING BAGS
SOCKS
CANDLES or other lighting implements
BELTSWhat we ALWAYS need:
Tracksuit trousers
Jeans size 28-32
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Soap
Shampoo
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Plastic bags
Woolly hats
Pants
Pots
PansWhat we DO NOT need:
WOMEN and CHILDREN’S CLOTHES or SHOES
Sheets
Pillows
Suits
Town Shoes
Jumpers
WellingtonsIt’s also really important to sort the donations, so they can be efficiently stored and distributed in Calais. Please make sure donations are organised by type, keeping shoes together, sleeping bags together etc. If possible, even organise shoes and clothes to size. When you’re loading up your donations, try to keep track of what is where so you can easily find relevant items at the other end.
Article edits
More drop-off points added.
