TRAID charity shops in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush are collecting urgently needed supplies for refugees from Syria and other areas of conflict during the festive season and into the New Year.
The charity is hoping the festive spirit will encourage many residents to drop off donations at the stores or any of their nine others across London. Generous residents can either buy an extra gift this Christmas or donate something still in good condition.
“It may be the festive season but this does not stop the misery for many families fleeing war zones and persecution.” said Councillor Sue Fennimore, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion.
“As we finish off our Christmas shopping it is the perfect opportunity to buy an extra gift or think what we can spare for those who have lost everything.”
Donations will be sent to the Starfish Foundation, a registered NGO working to help refugees arriving in Lesvos, Greece, a transit point for tens of thousands of people fleeing war. Items have to be in good condition and be one of the items in the list below. Items not on the list can still separately be donated to TRAID – a charity which campaigns for reuse of clothes and funds international development projects – to be sold in its stores.
The following are the only items which can be accepted:
- Socks (new or nearly new and all sizes)
- Underwear (new and all sizes)
- Rain jackets and rain ponchos
- Warm outdoor jackets, especially waterproofs
- Sleeping bags
- Blankets
- Men’s trousers (all sizes)
- Sweat pants / tracksuit bottoms in all sizes, but especially for men
- Clothes for children aged 10 – 14 (Clothes for younger children are no longer needed as they have enough)
- Rucksacks and similar carrying bags
- Warm winter scarves, gloves and hats
Donations must be clearly marked ‘for refugees’ and can be dropped off at TRAID shops. The Hammersmith store is located at 119 King Street and the Shepherds Bush shop is at 154 Uxbridge Road. You can also drop supplies at the charity’s other shops across London or at TRAID’s warehouse based in Wembley until 1 February 2016.
Maria Chenoweth-Casey, TRAID’s Chief Executive said, ‘The Starfish Foundation is a small volunteer based organisation working in the most difficult of conditions, and TRAID and our staff are so pleased to be able to support them. We’re appealing to our customers, and also to anyone living near to any of our charity shops in London, to drop urgently needed donations off.”
