The latest shipment of clothes and bedding for refugees in the Middle East headed off from Rye to the main depot in Worthing last Friday, February 5. Janet Waddams, who organised the appeal, managed to gather 60 boxes of supplies, no mean feat considering that this was her third collection in a year. The clothes and bedding, including hand crocheted blankets made by local “knit-wits”, were sorted carefully and packed into banana boxes by a team of volunteers working in St Mary’s Centre for the last few weeks.
The shipment is now on its way to help displaced people in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. Local building firm W Tollett kindly stepped in and offered to drive the boxes to the central collecting point. But Jon Crafer who is the Managing Director had his work cut out when it came to squeezing all the boxes into the van. But he managed it, with not an inch to spare.
Jon appears to be a glutton for punishment as he is also walking 100km in 24 hours in support of Cancer Research on May 28. Still at least this time, he wont be weighed down by 60 heavy boxes.
The appeal has not been without its funny side, despite the seriousness of the plight of the refugees. Last week Janet was unmasked by Rye News as the criminal mastermind behind a series of apparently inexplicable thefts, motivated entirely by a desire to help people in desperate need.
Unfortunately its very likely that there will be a need for a further appeal. So think about refugees as you plan your next spring clean.
Photos: Kenneth Bird