North-South Calais Solidarity

We are a small group of volunteers planning to fill two vans' worth of supplies to take to Calais on the 14th February.  We would like to spend a week there providing much needed assistance to the organisations on the ground.

There are 6,000 men, women and children living in the Calais camp and a further 3,000 in Dunkirk facing extremely harsh conditions including the threat of eviction and aid blockages.

The various charities working in Calais are helping to provide food consisting of one meal a day (although there is often not enough even for that), basic shelter and clothing to try to keep the cold and wet at bay.

Money is needed so that we can cover basic costs of the journey. Any money raised in excess of our basic costs will go towards buying much needed food and sanitary products.

If you cannot donate money, we are in need of other items too and are collecting in Kendal, Oxford and London (Dalston).

Urgently required:

Building materials - especially pallets
Blankets
Sleeping bags
Tents ( 4 man tents or larger)
Waterproof warm winter coats and waterproof trousers
Tarpaulins
Camp mats
Firewood
Fire Extinguishers
Wind up/ solar torches and lanterns

Clothing:

Men
Waterproof walking boots high ankle or trainers size especially sizes 42 and 43
Small trousers (size 28 and 30)
Waterproof trousers
S + M tracksuit bottoms
S long-sleeved tops, jumpers and hoodies

Women
Boots/ shoes up to size 39.  No heels!
Smaller cup size bras (up to 36C)
Warm, Waterproof coats (S + M)
Waterproof trousers
Trousers (S, M, L) - jeans and tracksuit bottoms
Long-sleeved tops, jumpers and hoodies (S + M)
Socks and Underwear (men's, women's and children's)
Goody bags of hats, gloves and scarves

Please ensure that all donated items are clean and in good condition.

Please help us to gather the necessary supplies. With your help we can show the French and UK governments that it is not acceptable to treat human beings in this way. Public opinion has influenced immigration policy in the past, we can do it again!!