We’ll do our bit to help refugees
Borough rallies to offer goods and shelter to people fleeing Afghanistan
HYNDBURN has reached out to Afghanistan refugees fleeing from the Taliban – offering help and shelter.
The council has joined other local authorities promising to provide safe havens for asylum seekers as part of a government scheme to rehouse them across the UK.
Leader Miles Parkinson said: “Hyndburn will share the responsibility in this time of crisis and play our part.”
The public effort has seen the Rishton Arms pub collect hundreds of essential items from kindhearted donors.
Iona Mifsud, daughter of the landlord, said there were tonnes of donations from ‘ hundreds and hundreds’ of residents.
She continued: “The community really pulled together and showed their generosity and it was really humbling.”
APUB has collected hundreds of essential items from generous donors which are to be donated to Afghanistan refugees.
The Rishton Arms accepted donations on Monday from kindhearted local residents.
They have now been passed on to a charity aimed at helping those fleeing Afghanistan, after the Taliban took control of the country. Clothes, toys, prams and baby essentials including nappies, were among the items donated.
Iona Mifsud, daughter of the Station Road pub’s landlord, said there were tonnes of donations from ‘hundreds and hundreds’ of residents which were taken to Singletons Dance Academy in Rochdale - a dropoff point for the Care4Calais refugee charity.
She said: “As soon as we opened the venue there were piles and piles of things coming in so we had to ring round charities that take that amount.
“There were four tonnes of clothes, toys and toiletries donated. Anything you can dream of was donated.
“The community really pulled together and showed their generosity, and it was really humbling.
“There were hundreds and hundreds of people who donated and every single thing is going to be used.”
Iona said she was moved to start the collection after seeing pictures on social media of families trying to flee Afghanistan.
She said: “I saw a lot of people on social media in crisis. I saw a picture of this baby being handed over the barbed wire, which is quite shocking to see.
“There was also a woman who went into labour on a plane, and I just thought ‘what can we do to help?’
“So I asked on social media if anybody had any donations and there were tonnes and tonnes of people.”
Iona added that it was emotional to see the huge response to her appeal for donations.
She said: “We had people from all walks of life coming in so it was quite emotional because everyone just wanted to do what they could. It just makes you realise how lucky you are living in a safe environment. I couldn’t be more grateful; it’s been really emotional so just a massive, massive thank you to everybody that contributed and it’s definitely going to make a difference.
“The people coming over they’ve got absolutely nothing, just the things they’ve got onto the planes.”
She also added that she hopes the donations will be an ongoing project and those interested can dropoff items to Singletons Dance Academy at Tramway Offices, Mellor Street, Rochdale, OL12 6AA.