Refugee Donation Drop Off Centre has been a tremendous success
Published: 18 October 2021
Once again the Redbridge community has come together with our Refugee Drop Off Centre exceeding all expectations.
In just six weeks, the Refugee Drop Off Centre, based at Ilford Town Hall has received thousands of items to help our campaign. So far we have received:
*Pushchairs – 61
*Baby baths – 53
*Sterilising units – 25
*Sterilising tablets/fluids – 50 bottles or packs (approximately)
*Baby bottle packs – 378
*Sandals/flip flops/sliders – 214
*Headscarves – 926
*Prayer mats – 400 (approximately)
*Quran’s – 600 (approximately)
*Suitcases and holdall bags – 117
The Redbridge Refugee Donation Drop Off Centre was a partnership between Redbridge Council and the local voluntary sector and was staffed by volunteers from Ilford Salvation Army.
Donations collected from the Town Hall were taken by volunteers to a CVS distribution centre in Havering. Here the donations were sorted and staff from the charity London Plus distributed them to families across north-east London.
Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal said:
“I am overwhelmed by the number of donated items that we have received for refugees via our drop off centre at Redbridge Town Hall. Local people have shown huge generosity towards those arriving in London from all over the world in need of support and essential items as they rebuild their lives.
“I would like to thank the Salvation Army, Redbridge CVS and London Plus for making the donation centre a success over the past six weeks, and for their continued support in getting the donated items to those in need.”
As well as the requested donations, staff at the Drop Off Centre also received other contributions of baby bouncers, high chairs, clothes, Moses’ baskets, feeding accessories, children’s toys and stationery, which have been distributed across London.
Leader of the Salvation Army in Ilford, Major Phil Howe, said:
“On behalf of all at the Salvation Army in Clements Road, we want to say what a privilege it has been to be part of such a moving community initiative. Thanks go to Nadine Puddle our volunteer coordinator and all our volunteers, this has included some residents of Malachi Place our hostel in Chadwick Road. So many local people have put in extra time to support by receiving items, sorting and transporting them.
“Whilst the collection phase of the Afghan Appeal is drawing to a close we recognise that for those who will be receiving the items, it is just the beginning. Our prayer is that through the items donated, those who are making a new start will know that they are remembered and cared for.
“We share a huge thank you to all those in our Redbridge community who have responded so positively to the appeal."
