Thermal's for Refugees in Europe
Donation protected
Hi there, I'm Isabel Woods from England and a concerned member of the public who is having another rather urgent whipround to get sets of Thermal vests and long johns for refugees, this time for those entering the Balkans and those at Calais.
So I'm raising funds to buy thermal underwear to send to refugees entering the Balkans in Europe and to those camping at Calais.
I've a contact and address to send the thermals in the post to Munich and then volunteers will take them on down to Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. They are currently encountering the most extreme winter with snow levels reaching one meter and temperature plummeting to as low as -18 degrees Celsius. Refugees reach here after spending hours trekking 45km over the Bulgarian mountains , crossing a notoriously perilous river along the way. The warm clothes and food and welcome are always received with happiness and gratitude from the refugees before moving carrying on with the next stage of their journey through the very cold Balkans and on to Germany.
The volunteer group out there is called I'm Human Organization IHO and you can find them at their facebook page. A marvellous life saving bunch of people. Sharon Silvey is the contact name of the person there.
The situation in Calais is worsening by the day with numbers now at about 7000, that is an increase of 3000 in 2 months, more families and unaccompanied children are arriving. As you probably know neither the UK or French authorities are not offering aid and only a few small local charities, grassroots groups and donations from the public are keeping these people going. So every little bit helps as winter deepens. Sorry to be so bleak!
I'll order from Ebay as not expensive and as quick as ordering elsewear + I can use the boxes they come in. I'll buy as many sets as I can, more Men's and Children's than Ladies - just because there are more men and children than ladies. Men's thermals sets cost from £4, Womens £6 and Childrens £6. 7% GoFunding fees and card fees and anything left will go towards shipping costs of the Thermals to Munich from the UK.
Time is of the essence as winter is here, it's horrible in Calais and snowing in the Balkans and so I'm aiming to order Thermals and send them off every two weeks or so throughout December and January. Shipping is £11.50 for a box weighing up to 9kg to Munich and so not too much and for Calais I'll either drop them off with people going over there with aid or take them myself in the car which cost's about £50 (unless we have to hire a van...) I will have to take this from money raised though - hope that is ok.
So the funds raised will get to the Refugees via actual physical thermal underwear not money.
For anyone who doesn't know, I raised £1000 for Refugees at Calais in September via JustGiving and carried out a successful drop off and distribution into the camp known as 'The Jungle' of about 400 Thermals and hats, gloves and socks, which were gratefully received. This and a late donation from a friend of my Mum, inspired me to raise more money and buy more Thermals for refugees and I thought with the threat of such cold freezing temperatures in the Balkans I'd send them there - raising £380 and sending off 70 sets a few weeks ago. And now as deepest winter approaches I thought I'd keep going and try to get some Thermal's out to help warm Refugee's at Christmas and into January, both in the Balkans and at Calais.
If you can possibly donate £5 I'd be most grateful and you'll help a refugee keep a little warmer and safer from the elements.
I hope this all makes sense - sorry to go on!
Love and lots of thanks,
Isabel x
So I'm raising funds to buy thermal underwear to send to refugees entering the Balkans in Europe and to those camping at Calais.
I've a contact and address to send the thermals in the post to Munich and then volunteers will take them on down to Dimitrovgrad, Serbia. They are currently encountering the most extreme winter with snow levels reaching one meter and temperature plummeting to as low as -18 degrees Celsius. Refugees reach here after spending hours trekking 45km over the Bulgarian mountains , crossing a notoriously perilous river along the way. The warm clothes and food and welcome are always received with happiness and gratitude from the refugees before moving carrying on with the next stage of their journey through the very cold Balkans and on to Germany.
The volunteer group out there is called I'm Human Organization IHO and you can find them at their facebook page. A marvellous life saving bunch of people. Sharon Silvey is the contact name of the person there.
The situation in Calais is worsening by the day with numbers now at about 7000, that is an increase of 3000 in 2 months, more families and unaccompanied children are arriving. As you probably know neither the UK or French authorities are not offering aid and only a few small local charities, grassroots groups and donations from the public are keeping these people going. So every little bit helps as winter deepens. Sorry to be so bleak!
I'll order from Ebay as not expensive and as quick as ordering elsewear + I can use the boxes they come in. I'll buy as many sets as I can, more Men's and Children's than Ladies - just because there are more men and children than ladies. Men's thermals sets cost from £4, Womens £6 and Childrens £6. 7% GoFunding fees and card fees and anything left will go towards shipping costs of the Thermals to Munich from the UK.
Time is of the essence as winter is here, it's horrible in Calais and snowing in the Balkans and so I'm aiming to order Thermals and send them off every two weeks or so throughout December and January. Shipping is £11.50 for a box weighing up to 9kg to Munich and so not too much and for Calais I'll either drop them off with people going over there with aid or take them myself in the car which cost's about £50 (unless we have to hire a van...) I will have to take this from money raised though - hope that is ok.
So the funds raised will get to the Refugees via actual physical thermal underwear not money.
For anyone who doesn't know, I raised £1000 for Refugees at Calais in September via JustGiving and carried out a successful drop off and distribution into the camp known as 'The Jungle' of about 400 Thermals and hats, gloves and socks, which were gratefully received. This and a late donation from a friend of my Mum, inspired me to raise more money and buy more Thermals for refugees and I thought with the threat of such cold freezing temperatures in the Balkans I'd send them there - raising £380 and sending off 70 sets a few weeks ago. And now as deepest winter approaches I thought I'd keep going and try to get some Thermal's out to help warm Refugee's at Christmas and into January, both in the Balkans and at Calais.
If you can possibly donate £5 I'd be most grateful and you'll help a refugee keep a little warmer and safer from the elements.
I hope this all makes sense - sorry to go on!
Love and lots of thanks,
Isabel x
Organizer
Isabel Woods
Organizer
