Help for struggling refugees in Europe

Fundraising campaign by Alex Manessi
  • £3,000.00
    raised of £3,000.00 goal goal
100% Funded
66 Donors
Raised offline: £540.00
Total: £3,540.00
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Originally focused on Dunkirk, France, this fundraiser is now focused towards Greece too.

UPDATE 29th March 2015

Going to Greece...

As you know Greece has been the main entry point for refugees fleeing war and persecution in Iraq, Syria and beyond. Greece is also in the middle of the deepest recession of any European country in modern times with no end in sight. Unemployment at record highs and over 50% youth unemployment. Prospects are bleak.

Yet through this, Greece have been incredibly hospitable to refugees, with many Greeks sharing much more than they can afford.

This weekend we are going to a colelction of recently opened camps near the Albanian border in Ioannina. The Greek army has provided tents and basic food and the largets camp already has a population of 1,200 despite only being open for two weeks.

The Greek government is providing the most basic necessities - food & shelter (already much more than is offered to those in Northern France). We are going with fresh fruit, toiletries, nappies, sanitary towels, razor blades, toilet paper, wet wipes, anti-bacterial gel and basic medicine (anti- inflammatories and cough medicine).

We're hoping to raise £300-£400 towards this and every little helps. Men make up about 50% of inhabitants in these camps, women and children the other 50%.

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UPDATE 28th December 2015

The authorities in Dunkirk have passed a by-law banning all building materials, tents, sleeping bags and blankets from entering the camps, currently resident to 2,500 men, women and children.

Only clothes and food is allowed in, and this has to be walked in, vehicles are no longer allowed access.

This is designed to reduce the living conditions inside the camp to such a level the migrants disperse. It's sickening in the middle of winter that police are searching people entering the camps and confiscating the blankets and sleeping bags that will keep their children warm at night.

I am in touch with volunteers on the ground, some have been sneaking things in through the forrest during the night, but this is not ideal. I haven't figured out exactly how the next trip will work given we have collected just items that are specifically banned, but we will find a way to make it work.

As always, if you would like to make a physical donation DM me your address and if possible I will collect, or if not, I am based in East London.

Alternatively your cash donations on this page are also very much appreciated.

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The original campaign message is below the line.

Initially I set up this campaign to achieve a small goal of providing a single meal for 400 people. However, it is evident from the response that an awful lot of people want to help in whatever way they can, so I am keeping the campaign open. Any money raised from now will go towards buying tents, blankets, cooking stoves and toiletries.

We are planning another trip in January/February!

All money raised will go towards our aim of buying 100 medium sized tents, groundsheets, blankets and sleeping bags. In order to achieve this goal, we still need to collect £2,500 - taking us to a to a campaign total of £4,000 (including money raised offline).

We are still taking donations for any items on this list that you have, and are now able to store them in either London or Oxford. These are some of the things that are needed:

  • Tents
  • Blankets
  • Shoes (trainers, boots)
  • Cooking stoves
  • Warm clothing (jackets, jumpers, trousers)
  • Waterproof clothing
  • Toiletries (bottled, not soap as it's harder to store)

The camps are 85% men so male clothing is most in demand, but so is children's clothing of all sizes.




A meal for struggling migrants in Dunkirk, France

  • What is the issue?

Calais has received a huge amount of press recently and people are doing amazing things for the migrant population there. As the influx of refugees and asylum seekers continues, camps are growing in other areas around Northern Europe. Dunkirk has an estimated population of 1,500 migrants in various camps, but no UNHCR or MSF presence.

Migrants in Dunkirk receive next to no official support and are in a desperate situation as winter approaches.

  • What is needed?

At the most basic level, food and shelter, organisation and an official presence. There needs to be a single camp in Dunkirk providing basic facilities and assistance. It's not just Dunkirk. camps are growing in ports as high up as Amsterdam. Hopefully the profile of the other camps can rise sufficiently that aid organisations pay them more attention.

  • What can you do?

The largest camp is in Teteghem with close to 400 people. The aim is to provide one meal for each person there. Money raised will go towards canned, preserved and dried food and water. A small goal, but anything to help this incredibly difficult situation is worthwhile. We will also collect clothing and other items from the list below, so if you have anything from the list and would like to donate it, please let us know.

Physical items needed:

- Tents
- Boots
- Warm clothing (jackets, jumpers, trousers)
- Waterproof clothing
- Camping stoves for cooking
- Utensils
- First aid (plasters, antiseptic, cough medicine etc.)

We will fund the travelling ourselves, therefore all money raised will go directly towards helping the migrant population in Dunkirk.


  • When?

Keir Hutton-Ferris and I are booked to head over on November 14th, ideally we want everything at least a week prior so we can sort through and categorise, as well as prepare all the meals.

Organizer

  • Alex Manessi
  •  
  • Campaign Owner

Donors

  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Apr 10, 2016
  • Alex, this was a cash gift from Mrs Marina Fennell 19 Northmoor Rd North Oxford. She gave it to me personally and would continue to do so. PLease contact me or her.

£50.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
  • Well done Alex. You are a wonderful person.

Amount Hidden
  • The Benneworth's
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
£25.00
Mar 29

Last month's visit to Dunkirk

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 10:10 pm

With the help of many mane people, not least the mayor of Dunkirk and MSF, conditions have improved since our visit last month.The MSF camp has opened, and while the French government is trying to shut it down, for the time being it is still there. A lot of help. . . . .

See update
0
Jan 24

Upcoming trip to Dunkirk, January 30th

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 08:38 pm

The response has continued to be fantastic as we plan our January 30th trip to Dunkirk.So many donations have come in. Sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothing, medical supplies, waterproofs and more. Someone has kindly donated their van for us to use, which is fantastic as the donations alone are enough. . . . .

See update
0
Dec 29

New bylaw restricting access to camps in Dunkirk

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 11:20 pm

The authorities in Dunkirk have passed a by-law banning all building materials, tents, sleeping bags and blankets from entering the camps, currently resident to 2,500 men, women and children.Only clothes and food is allowed in, and this has to be walked in, vehicles are no longer allowed access.This is designed. . . . .

See update
0
Nov 24

Getting ready for stage 2 - 100 tents and 100 blankets/sleeping bags

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 07:16 pm

Slightly delayed update after our trip on November 14-15.Back in the UK now after an eventful weekend. Met some amazing people who are working hard to try and improve the lives of people in the Grande-Synthe camp in Dunkirk.In the end we almost had more donations than we could take,. . . . .

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0
Nov 11

Nearly there!

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 07:54 pm

Still astounded by the response. It's easy to be cynical when governments are seemingly ignoring the problem, hoping it will go away, but when you see so many people care - spending their own time and money to help - it's really heart-warming.I travelled to Oxford yesterday where Rene gathered. . . . .

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0
Nov 03

Thank you!

Update posted by Alex Manessi at 11:06 am

Thank you to everyone that has supported the campaign by donating money, clothes, bedding, camping gear, first aid kits, shoes and more! The response we have got has been amazing!We are heading over on November 14th. The original plan was to drive over by car, then rent a van and. . . . .

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0

Donors & Comments

66 donors
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Apr 10, 2016
  • Alex, this was a cash gift from Mrs Marina Fennell 19 Northmoor Rd North Oxford. She gave it to me personally and would continue to do so. PLease contact me or her.

£50.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
  • Well done Alex. You are a wonderful person.

Amount Hidden
  • The Benneworth's
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
£25.00
  • Tricia Giles
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
  • Keep going! You are doing an amazing job!

Amount Hidden
  • Corinna Fogarty
  • Donated on Apr 04, 2016
  • Keep doing what you're doing, you are amazing!

£20.00
  • Oliver Holland
  • Donated on Apr 03, 2016
£20.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Apr 01, 2016
  • I am sorry not to give you more, but just donated a large amount to Anna-Louisa's initiative for the refugee children travelling alone. Well done you and good luck. Love Vinni xx

£30.00
  • Anna-Louisa Psarras
  • Donated on Apr 01, 2016
£20.00
  • Anonymous
  • Donated on Mar 31, 2016
  • thank you for your amazing work!

Amount Hidden
  • Dave Ashton
  • Donated on Mar 31, 2016
£10.00
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Followers

24 followers
Aidan Shaw
Jane Thompstone
Denise Alder
renee hirschon
Gwithian Doswell
Anastasia Stouraiti
Julia Tilley
Peter Mackridge
nazan winrow
Susan Hutton
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£3,000.00
raised of £3,000.00 goal
100% Funded
66 Donors
Raised offline: £540.00
Total: £3,540.00