C aring F or C alais
O
ne crisp November Exeat weekend of 2019, no fewer than 28 WCPCI volunteers set off on a life-changing journey.
The charity Care4Calais supports refugees across France and Belgium, providing essential items, from clothing to tents. The main aim of the trip was to restore elements of humanity to the lives of the refugees they interacted with, taking the opportunity to hear some of the stories these resilient people had to share, whilst allowing the team to reflect upon everything that they are so fortunate to take for granted. Over the course of two days, the WCPCI volunteers sorted donations in the warehouse to prepare for upcoming distributions, in addition to handing out warm clothes to camps in Calais and Dunkirk. What struck them most was the refugees’ overwhelming sense of hope in the face of adversity. Their small acts of kindness by handing out tea and coffee or giving out a pair of tracksuits ultimately symbolised so much more than just a physical act of assistance. The story of one young man in particular has remained with one of the volunteers from the L6: the young man spoke of how he travelled from Syria to Calais and lost his family during the journey. It was clear that those applying for asylum in the UK are doing so because they have no choice and are willing to risk risk everything for the chance of a better life. Whether they’ve fled war or religious persecution, come from Syria or Afghanistan, refugees have no choice and it is our duty to help in any way we can.
COURAGE
12
