Waz appeals for donations
A local hero shopkeeper who supported families in lockdown has turned his attention to helping in the crisis in Afghanistan.
Wasim Abbas – known as Waz – is spearheading a national campaign in West Lothian and is appealing for local people to donate.
Last year at the height of lockdown, Waz pulled out the stops for people in his community in Broxburn who couldn’t get supplies, tracking down and delivering everything from bread to baby formula.
He said: “We are raising funds to help Afghan refugees who are arriving into Scotland.
“They have arrived with nothing and will require help with food and urgent items of need.
“We are currently fundraising to help the Afghans in their plight. It’s a national fundraising campaign.
“I’ve also touched base with West Lothian Council to see if they’re participating in the resettlement programme.
“They are awaiting approval from the top brass then they should be good to go.
“I’ll be liaising with them regarding this and where our charity World Care Foundation can help.
“We will also most certainly be doing a fundraiser through the local mosque too, probably nearer the time of arrival.”
Waz is no stranger to the plight of refugees.
In 2016 he travelled to Greece to hand out vital aid to refugees and heard first hand of their harrowing experiences.
He had been working with the charity Edinburgh Cares on the Greek island of Samos to help refugees from Syria and elsewhere.
And last year at the height of lockdown Waz was praised for
making sure everyone who lives in the area could get what they needed as supermarkets around the county began to report bare shelves amid panic buying.
He rationed his stock and made trips to suppliers twice a day to make sure he is fully stocked up.
To donate and help Afghan refugees visit https://www.worldcarefoundation. org/afghanrefugees.