District rallies to donate as refugee crisis deepens

District rallies to donate as refugee crisis deepens

9 September 2015

A NUMBER of collection points have been set up across the district to provide people with an opportunity to donate warm clothes and other essentials for refugees fleeing war-torn countries in the Middle East.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council is supporting the Northern Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity Group’s efforts to help meet the immediate needs of thousands of people fleeing their homes.

Council chairwoman, Naomi Bailie, said the local authority is encouraging people to give what they can to help and donate items at collection points which have been set up in Downpatrick, Ballynahinch, Crossgar and Newcastle.

“This is an international crisis and we can make a difference by providing warm clothing or other useful items to show our support. There are also volunteer opportunities available,” she said.

“Those who cannot give items or their time but would like to assist financially towards transport and storage costs as well as additional aid on the ground can do so by visiting the Northern Ireland Calais Refugee Solidarity on Facebook.” 

Councillor Bailie said items which are needed include tents, heavy duty rubbish bags, blankets and sleeping bags, men’s warm winter clothes in small and medium sizes, hats and gloves, men’s shoes (runners and walking), candles and torches, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, shaving foam, medicines and first aid supplies, bikes and puncture repair kits.”   

Last weekend, the council chairwoman met with Stephen McClelland, programme manager with the Newry and Mourne Co-operative and Enterprise Agency and volunteers at the collection point in Downpatrick to offer support.

Items can be left at Ballynahinch Leisure Centre daily between 4pm and 5pm and at Downpatrick’s Social Enterprise Hub — located at The Grove shopping centre — on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 10am and 4pm.

Items can be left at St. Mary’s Hall in Newcastle between 7pm and 9pm tomorrow and right through until Saturday. 

Items can be left on Thursday between 9.30am and 1.30pm and 7pm and 9pm; between 7pm and 9pm on Friday and from 9.30am until 1.30pm on Saturday.

South Down MLA John McCallister is also urging people to come forward with donations to help those caught up in the refugee crisis and offered to assist with efforts to organise a collection of materials, along with local charities and church groups.

He said it is not hard to be shocked by the images of three year-old Syrian boy Aylan Kurdi whose lifeless body was washed up on a Turkish beach last Thursday. The MLA said the refugee crisis has reached a “bleak climax” after three years of brutal conflict in the Middle East, calling for decisive action to be taken at government level. 

“The people of the British Isles have a long and distinguished history of offering shelter and refuge to those in need, regardless of their origin and I hope this same generosity and compassion will be extended to those fleeing the conflict in Syria. I have sent correspondence to Prime Minister David Cameron to this effect,” continued Mr McCallister.

“With winter fast approaching and the tragic civil war in Syria continuing to drag on, we must all be aware that the situation of those displaced from Syria could yet worsen significantly. This is why I have made this appeal and am making my office in Newcastle available to anyone who has materials they are willing to donate towards this humanitarian crisis.”

The MLA is also urging local charities or church groups who are making a similar appeal to contact his office so a co-ordinated approach can be organised. Mr McCallister’s office number is (028) 4372 7085.