Lanark church is pick-up point for aid to refugees

AS public support grows for refugees trying to make their way into and across Europe to start new lives, Lanark has become the pick-up point for practical aid for those struggling in Calais.
By Helen McCall
Published 7th Sep 2015, 15:07 BST
Newly-launched appeal... Bryan Kerr from Greyfriars Church with donations for the refugees ( Picture Sarah Peters).Newly-launched appeal... Bryan Kerr from Greyfriars Church with donations for the refugees ( Picture Sarah Peters).
Newly-launched appeal... Bryan Kerr from Greyfriars Church with donations for the refugees ( Picture Sarah Peters).

Erskine Parish Church is running convoys of aid down to the refugees, and churches elsewhere in Scotland are giving that scheme their backing.

Greyfriars Church is now acting as a collecting point for supplies, and is accepting items at the office, at the side of the church on Friars Lane, on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings, or at the church on a Sunday, or any time the hall is open.

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Items needed are: trainers, hiking boots and wellies in UK size 7-9, tens, covers, tarpaulins, sleeping bags, blankets, jackets (size S&M only), socks, candles, belts, tracksuit trousers, smartphones with Sim cards, soap and shampoo. toothbrushes, toothpaste, woolly hats, pants, pots and pans, travelling bags and plastic bags.

Details have been passed on to other churches in Clydesdale.

Cash is also needed to meet the costs of transporting the donations down.

“The response has been really good already,” said Greyfriars minister the Rev Bryan Kerr on Monday.

See full story in this week’s Gazette, out on Wednesday.

And let us know if you are organising any fundraising events, or opening your doors to refugees.

Related topics:EuropeScotland