A group of mums from Newbridge have come together to help refugees fleeing to Europe from the Middle East.
Thousands of refugees have attempted to cross into Europe from Syria and surrounding countries, with hundreds drowning and many trapped by European border controls.
In response Laura Rees-Davies and Jemma Shepherd are appealing for donations to help refugees – many who were forced into pay traffickers to cross into Europe, leaving much of their belongings behind – after being moved by the devastating images and stories over recent days.
They enlisted the help of St Paul’s Church in Newbridge, who agreed to act as a base for collections, and used social media to drum up support from local people.
The group is also receiving support and advice from national campaigners People to People Solidarity – Action from the UK.
Ms Rees-Davies said: said “Hearing what these people are going through really struck a chord with me as a mother, as I understand the lengths someone would go to in order to protect their children.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support that’s already been given to our appeal. We initially planned only to send donations to Calais but may now extend this to help even more families in Kos.
“We are still desperate for donations and urge people to give whatever they can. Every little bit really does count and we’re grateful to everyone who’s donated or volunteered their time to help with the collection.”
The group has a list of suggested items which includes clothing, tents, blankets, toiletries and packaged non-perishable foods.
St Paul’s Church will be open to receive collections from 12.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday September 12 and from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday September 13.
More information can be found on the Facebook event page Syria Calais refugee collection Newbridge.
If you are organising any collections or events in Caerphilly County Borough supporting the refugees please contact gareth@caerphilly.observer.
It is not Europe’s problem. The UK should not take any economic migrants in. These migrants have passed through multiple safe countries where a war is not taking place. The migrants could stay in these countries if they were really endangered but they do not, they choose to continue to wealthier European countries.
The UN should use the military to mark out safe areas in the countries people are fleeing. Only then will the issue be solved.
I would advise these women to redirect their collection to the refugee camps on the Syrian border inside Turkey. Providing them with help after they have put themselves and family in mortal danger only encourages more to attempt the journey. Give them an incentive not to make the journey.
I would advise them to redirect their collection to the people in their own country who need help, we won’t save these refugees without destroying our own country and that is what will happen if we don’t stand firm and say no, we need to take the same stance as Australia, helping these refugees is simply committing national suicide, why are huge numbers of them male aged between 18 and 30 who are not refugees fleeing from danger they are nothing more than foreign invaders fleeing towards a higher standard of living that the U.K will foolishly give them. Our ancestors left us a great Britain and it is our responsibility to look after it and pass it on to our children and grandchildren – not hand it over to these hoards of no good free loaders who want nothing more than to destroy the western world.