Blandford Cares, established to support refugees in Calais and elsewhere overseas, has tried to remain open during the lockdown for selected donation deliveries as the only active collection point within about 30 miles of North Dorset.

But like most charities their activities continued to be severely curtailed.
Project leader Mike Hearn has reported that avenues for transport have closed and Brexit customs arrangements take no account of humanitarian aid consignments.

Covid precautions have also meant a contact free ‘delivery by appointment’ system and isolation of bags before transfer to the United Reformed Church for sorting. But around 100 bags of donations allowed the selection of high quality items, books and DVDs for sale on the internet, resulting in first quarter income of just over £1,700, almost all of which was donated directly to NGOs in Northern France and the Sudan.

The total exceeded the amount given in the same period last year, and the group was also able to work with the Blandford Food Bank and Community Kitchen, identifying opportunities to support local homeless, rough sleepers and individuals or families needing help, including meeting requests for school uniform and warm coats from schools in the Blandford area. Signs that avenues for aid distribution to overseas refugees would begin to open in May meant that over 60 boxes could be delivered as soon as they could be accepted.

The sorting room reopened for normal activity after May 17.

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