BIG hearted members of the action group Bromsgrove and Redditch Welcomes Refugees (BRWR) have sent out an urgent appeal for sleeping bags and blankets after fire destroyed the only official refugee camp in France at Dunkirk.
The blaze broke out on Monday night and gutted the camp, which held 1,500 refugees. Of these about 900 people have been found temporary accommodation but 600 were still unaccounted for, including unaccompanied children.
Now members of BRWR are appealing for help as well as donations of items like tinned fish and dry and savoury biscuits to support the now homeless refugees.
These will then be transported down to Dunkirk by the Malvern-based charity People in Motion.
“I’m going out and buying sleeping bags from Argos and Halfords, spending something like £1,000 so all donations will be gratefully received,” said Sue Yeng from BRWR.
The fire is being treated as suspected arson. Since the closure of the camp at Calais last year the Dunkirk one has become increasingly overcrowded leading to rising tensions between different nationalities.
Meanwhile concern is growing over the welfare of unaccompanied children, some as young as 12, who are at risk of exploitation or trafficking.
“These people need help and we are doing what we can given the gravity of the situation,” said Sue.
The next BRWR clothing collection is on May 6 at The Bridge Church (St Lukes) on Evesham Road at Headless Cross from 2pm to 4pm.
Anyone wishing to make a donation before then can contact BRWR at http://brwr.uk/ or email [email protected] .
