Hardworking volunteers pictured at the Wexford Calais Refugee Solidarity group pictured at their sorting centre at Unit 5D, Kerlogue Industrial Estate. (L to r)- Nina Sanctuary, Aisling Wallace, Lucy Nevins, Laura Way, Sinead O’Brien, Lisa Goff, Natasha O’Brien. Pic: Jim Campbell

A LARGE warehouse has been obtained by the Wexford Calais Refugee Solidarity group and they are calling on the public to support the charity efforts of the group.

The group is aiming to gather enough supplies and resources to transport to Calais at the beginning of next month.

One of the organisers, Nina Sanctuary said: “The whole country is out collecting items for this crisis. People want to do something; they are fed up of watching as tragedy unfolds.”

On October 1, a convoy is travelling to Rosslare from the rest of the country to make a trip to Calais with supplies for the refugee camps over there.

Ms. Sanctuary explained that they were working with an NGO on the ground in Calais who had warehouses hired in order to sort and distribute the various goods. She added that financial donations had also come in and they would be used in Calais to buy stock such as food.

At the moment, the group is seeking items for men and boys including: tents (especially four-man); sleeping bags, blankets, heavy duty rubbish bags; men’s winter clothes (small and medium); waterproofs; scarves, hats, gloves, socks; shoes, runners and wellies; candles and torches with batteries; toiletries; bikes and repair kits; medicines and first aid supplies; large cooking pots; greeting messages, playing cards. Please visit the website www.helpingireland.com or the Facebook page to view a full list of all items required.

The main collection point in Wexford is Leisure Max, on Sinnottstown Lane from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Donations must be in by September 20.

The Wexford group has secured a warehouse with the kind assistance of Kehoe and Associates. It is situated at Unit 5D, Kerlogue Industrial Estate. Meanwhile Nolan Transport is assisting with transporting the stock to Calais.

Gemma Hayes, who is also involved in the group, added: “The schools, under the guidance of Niamh Hogan, have already been proactive by handing out leaflets and getting involved.

“We need the big push now and we are calling on all of Co. Wexford’s businesses to come on board and support this hugely worthy cause. We have a huge premises and Wexford can really make a difference in these people’s lives.”

Businesses who wish to donate or assist in any way, please contact Gemma Hayes on 086 338 7077.

The group has also issued an appeal for volunteers to assist with sorting which will be a significant task ahead of the deployment on October 1. Should you wish to volunteer please contact Aislinn Wallace on 086 884 3975.

For more information log on to the Wexford Calais Refugee Solidarity page on Facebook.