Bread and roses for refugees

A group of people living in Thame have come together to help meet the needs of the thousands of displaced people in Europe.

Bread and Roses for Refugees – Thame, was formed in February this year by five friends, Sarah Weston, Lisa Meaney, Helen Flitton, Tias Von Oudheusden and Adam Weston and is growing steadily. The group organises small local events to support charities working directly with refugees.

Lisa Meaney (R) with Cecily and Ruby Weston and Niamh Dutton-Meaney, delivering the items collected from the last event to the CALaid warehouse in Slough

The group has already held a ticketed kitchen disco, in aid of the Flying Seagull Project, a charity working to restore a sense of childhood to children in the camps, by simply helping them to smile, relax and play.

A collection the group held at Greyhound Walk, Thame in April was a resounding success. The generous people of Thame donated over two thousand eight hundred personal hygiene items in one afternoon. All of the items have now been delivered to the charity CALaid and sent directly to those in need in the refugee camps. Calaid is working with NGO’s in camps in Turkey, the borders of Syria as well as in France

The latest event will be held at John Hampden School Summer Fete on Saturday, July 9. The group will be encouraging people to donate 50p to buy a school exercise book which will be sent to makeshift schools within refugee camps in Greece and Turkey via the charity CALaid. People donating will have the opportunity to write a short message of support in the front page of their exercise book and bring comfort to the child who will receive it.

Helen Flitton, a member of Bread and Roses, explained: “We aim to bring together the people of Thame to support charities and organisations which meet the practical needs of refugees (the Bread) – food, warmth, clothing, medical needs and homes and to support charities and organisations which meet other essential human needs of refugees – play, fun, community, art and beauty – (the Roses).”

It is intended that the event will highlight how important education is as a stabalising factor to children effected by crisis. More information about the charity distributing the books will be given at the event.

New members are always welcome. If you would like to know more or get involved, contact:  breadandrosesforrefugeesthame@gmail.com or visit the facebook page :
LINK HERE