MEMBERS of a kind-hearted campaign are all smiles after receiving support from the Redditch branch of the UK’s largest independent recruitment agency.
Pertemps Redditch, based in Bromsgrove Road, will become a ‘drop-in’ centre for residents who want to do their bit to help children living in refugee camps in Greece and Macedonia.
‘Bag-a-Smile’ is the brainchild of Abbie Warren and her sister Rebecca Mapp and is an initiative which aims to collect goods suitable for children and pack them into draw-string bags to be given out in the camps.
The scheme was born when a group of mums came together after watching the plight of refugees on TV and wanted to make a difference.
“Like many, we have been watching the refugee crisis and wanting to do something to help,” Rebecca said. “Winter is approaching and it is going to get colder and colder.
“The least we can do as a community is to try and offer the children in these camps comforts that we all take for granted.”
The recruiting firm has stepped up to the plate to finance 100 draw-string bags to be filled with donated goodies – just in time for Christmas.
Carl Doherty, Pertemps regional manager, said: “We were approached by the mums and were only too happy to help.
“It is a thoroughly worthwhile cause – there have been stories of people taking off their own socks in the camps to give to children who are shivering with the cold.
“I would urge the local community to support the girls’ aims in bringing some small comfort to young children who will be affected by the crisis this winter.”
The Bridge House site will be operating as a base for donations and waterproof clothing, hats, gloves, small toys such as teddies or cars are required and will be received until the end of November.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/ofk5tp3 for more information.
