College appeal gives essential aid to refugees and needy for Christmas

DOZENS of essentials have been donated to two charities in the area following a Christmas appeal by The Henley College.

Staff, students and their families dropped off supplies including food, toiletries, coats, jeans, trainers, sleeping bags, tents, power banks and electric kits as part of the college’s From Our Hearts initiative.

Perishable items and essentials have been donated to the Nomad youth and community project food bank, which is based at the d:two centre in Market Place and Care4Calais in the Thames Valley, which supports refugees living in Henley, Reading and Maidenhead.

Donations were accepted throughout December at two collection points at the Rotherfield site in Ancastle Green and the main campus in Deanfield Avenue.

Care4Calais volunteer Emma Clark Lam is a volunteer for young male asylum seekers living in a hotel, some of whom have fled conflict including in Sudan.

She said the items donated are “crucial”, particularly during the winter months.

Mrs Clark Lam said: “We have people arriving in new shoes, in flip-flops and no coats.

“Another issue is that if they are granted permission to remain and gain residency for five years, it is very difficult for them to find somewhere to live.

“They have only 28 days from the day they receive their decision to find a room to rent to get their universal credit and look for a job.

“Unfortunately, this means a few end up on the street homeless which is why we are incredibly grateful for the tents and sleeping bags so at least we can keep them dry in the winter.”

Food donations from the initiative will be used for Nomad’s Christmas food parcels, which will help struggling families and individuals in the Henley area.

Manager Jaco Bruwer said: “We hand out about 300 food parcels a year to families and individuals in Henley who are in need and we are extremely grateful for what the students and staff have contributed.”

Warm clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags donated to Nomad will also support people experiencing hardship during the winter.