The response to the appeal for help for Afghan refugees has overwhelmed Blandford CARES, the small volunteer group which has for some years operated a collection and distribution centre for refugees overseas.

After an exceptionally busy day at their sorting room at Blandford United Reformed Church, it was forced to close and insist on any new deliveries making an appointment. Last Tuesday they had four cars booked in to deliver, and expected to receive a couple of small donations, but in fact received more than 300 bags from at least a dozen cars and vans.

The volunteers struggled to deal with it, even with additional help from the Blandford Food Bank which operates out of the same premises.

Blandford CARES founder Mike Hearn said: “As a result we were not able to have everything stored away until 4pm. Now we have to sort and box it, which means we need some clear time before we can accept more donations. And the closure of our distribution network has meant we have to close for receipt of donations until at least October 5.”

“Although we have been working continuously and had links able to distribute limited amounts of aid to Calais and Greece, the sheer volume of donations received over a three-day period has been unprecedented. It has overwhelmed us and also the major hub we rely on for the onward transmission of aid.”

He said the recent appeal which received extensive media coverage especially in the south has demonstrated that a large percentage of the population care about the fate of Afghan refugees and have formed local groups to collect aid.

“It is wonderful that so many people have offered to help. However, the appeal collection centre at the Immanuel Church in Bournemouth had to close within a week of opening, leaving those responding with a problem.”

“The efficient distribution system that existed in 2018/19 has largely disappeared over the near two years of pandemic and many collection centres have disappeared entirely, leaving Blandford CARES as the only known collection centre for about 30 miles.”

“It is ironic that currently there is no effective official means of supplying any aid directly to any Afghani refugee in the UK. I have been told that even local support groups near the holding centres are not allowed to contact those being accommodated until local authorities have responded to the situation. Until things become clearer we will work to clear the backlog using the only avenue known to us which in Northern France and Calais.”

Support Us

Thank you all so, so much for the love and appreciation you’ve shown us since we launched the New Blackmore Vale.

Please show your support and add a review on our Facebook page or on Google.