Newbury woman calls for mobile donations to displaced refugees in Dunkirk

A Hampstead Norreys woman, based in Dunkirk, is appealing for communication-based items for refugees in Northern France.

With Storm Euunice destroying tents and shelters, a woodland-surrounded camp has become a place of further unsafety for refugees.

Anna Scully is calling for donations of items, on behalf of Mobile Refugee Support, that may help those who are displaced to contact friends and family.

Speaking from Dunkirk, she said: “Before they make dangerous crossings to the UK, risking their lives in the final push of hope for long-term safety, refugees stay in dreadful conditions in Northern France.

“The hardship that the community endures is difficult to witness, but the resilience is extraordinary.

“Keeping in touch with loved ones is vitally important to a displaced person, on a journey that sees thousands of people go missing every year.

“Whether to inform them that they’re OK after news breaks of a tragedy, or to just see the familiar faces that they love and miss, and know they might not see in person for years to come.”

Refugees are currently in need of working, unlocked smart phones, with no PIN.

They do not need to be very new, as long as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp can be downloaded.

They also need power banks of 10,000mAh or 5,000mAh, micro-USB charging cables, USB-C charging cables and iPhone charging cables.

Items can be taken to Vara Tattoo studio on The Broadway, Newbury. Items can be dropped off on Sunday, from 10am to 11am, Wednesday, March 2, from 2pm to 3pm, Sunday, March 6, from 10am to noon and Wednesday, March 9, from 2pm to 3pm.

Monetary donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mrs-winterfundraiser