Lochaber Supports Refugees Iain Ferguson Making a donation to the Lochaber Supports Refugees charity has never been easier thanks to the opening of a new shop in Fort William High Street. The local group has been active for many years, collecting clothes, footwear and other items as diverse as camping equipment at its storage base at Camaghael from where they were sorted and sent to those in need in other parts of the world. All of this is now done at what most people will recognise as the former Wynne the Butcher’s shop at Aird’s Crossing, which will be open for donations twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays, between 11am and 1pm. As a result of recent conflicts, the need for adult male clothing in particular is increasing, with shirts, trousers, socks, underwear, thick and
warm hoodies all very much in demand. Women’s clothing will be most welcome. Donations should be clean and in good condition so that they can be quickly sorted by volunteers, ready for immediate use by those who need them. They
also put together complete ‘family’ boxes with adult and children’s clothing. Clothing is both sent abroad and given to refugees arriving in this country, who will almost certainly have left their homes with almost nothing and need assistance as they face an uncertain future. With winter coming, a particular emphasis, as Highland dwellers will know from their own experience, will be on staying warm so donations of heavy indoor and outdoor wear is doubly welcome. Being part of the ‘Highland’s Support Refugees’ charity is
also an advantage when aid is needed abroad. With increasing costs and paperwork, co-operation is vital so that a number of charities can pool transport resources to make sure the clothing can reach the places in which it is needed. In addition to individual donations, many businesses, including large retail chains also make donations of new clothes which are surplus to their requirements. Likewise, the refugee charity will donate items they are unable to use to shops run by other charities, so that nothing goes to waste. Co-ordinator Sandra Smith said: ‘The new shop is absolutely fantastic, in that it is really visible and in a convenient location for both donations and our volunteers. The rent is also much lower which means less of a drain on our finances. ‘It is a great space and I would like to thank everyone who helped turn the building from an empty shell into a working area, with places for sorting and storage.’ For more information go to the charity’s facebook page or call Sandra on 07765 670535.
LOCHABER LIFE
Lochaber Life November 2021.indd 19
|
19
12/10/2021 11:13:16
