London: Urgent appeal for goods for Calais refugees

Scene of destitution

Westminster Justice and Peace Commission is organising a one-off collection and delivery to the Jungle refugee camp in Calais soon, and have asked for donations of food, toiletries and other items. Many of the refugees are in urgent need because they lost all their meagre possessions last week when the French army and police gave them minutes to get out before the bulldozers demolished their shelters. The distribution of goods at the camp is being managed by Secour Catholique.

They need:

1. Dried foods (eg tins, pasta, rice, sugar, tea, instant coffee, hot chocolate, powdered milk)
2. Toiletries: soap, toothpaste/brushes,etc
3. Clean blankets
4. Shoes - Good condition clean trainers and walking boots sizes 5-11 (38-45) especially sizes 42 and 43. Bundle pairs of shoes together, loosely tying them together with shoelaces. Also Wellington boots, Flip flops

To fit in with the limited transport and storage arrangements, the organisers asks that items are packed in strong cardboard boxes clearly labelled (one type of item in each box) either medium sized (60 x 40 x 30 cm) or large: (90x60x50cm).

Please bring boxes to St John Vianney Parish Centre, 386 West Green Road, N15 3QL, between Tuesday 22nd March and Thursday 25th March. Ring Elizabeth Heaton to arrange delivery: 07704077495.