Your old clothes can help needy families

Anyone having a clothes clear-out can donate items to desperate families living in war-torn Syria today.

Scottish Action for Refugees (SAFR) is holding another winter clothes collection in Renfrew today.

It’s the third year the charity has held a collection event in Renfrew and they’ve all been well-supported.

Claire MacAulay, founder of SAFR, said: “We have worked with Renfrewshire Aid and Councillor LisaMarie Hughes has been involved from the outset. MP Gavin Newlands came along to the event last year and has also been very supportive.

“We collect warm winter clothes for men, women and children, personal care items and school supplies to ship out to refugee camps each year.

“This year we will be working with our partner charity Hand in Hand for Syria, which will transport these and distribute them as part of their winterisation programme in Syria and to support schools there.”

A charity spokesman explained: “War has ravaged Syria for seven years. People have lived through seven years of chaos, fear, upheaval and heartbreak.

“For seven years we have watched the news reports showing chemical attacks on children, towns devastated, people starving, medical facilities destroyed and felt helpless to affect any change.

“But if we can do something that could make even a small difference to one person for one day, it’s worth doing.”

The collection will take place at Renfrew Baptist Church in the town’s Paisley Road, from 11am till 2pm.

The charity also plans to hold its first ever collection in at the community annexe in Lochlip Road from 1pm till 4pm on Saturday, September 1.

Items needed are winter clothes like warm waterproof jackets, fleeces, hoodies, jumpers, long sleeved tops, jeans, jogging bottoms, hats, scarves, gloves, new pants, thermals, towels, blankets and sleeping bags as well as personal care items like nappies, baby wipes, incontinence pads, sanitary towels and anti-lice shampoo.

School supplies needed include rulers and pads of paper. For more information on the charity, go to www. scottishactionforrefugees. org/events