My Story

I have chosen to fundraise for Care4Calais, as I went to volunteer with them over summer and saw first-hand how important the work they do is.

To fundraise, I will be taking on a 'Ration Challenge'. For the last eight days of lockdown, I will be living off a ration pack based on those given out to people living in Calais. This will include:

• 1kg Rice
• 1 x Tinned Tomatoes
• 4 x Tinned Beans
• ½ Garlic Bulb
• 5 Onions
• 500ml Oil
• 500ml Milk
• 250g Sugar
• 5g Salt
• 10g Spices
• 8 Teabags

The situation in Calais is dire, and is only getting worse as winter draws in. Not only do the people living there have very little in terms of food, clothing or shelter, but they also experience daily harassment and violence by the police. From having their tents slashed and sleeping bags soaked in water to being tear gassed on the streets, it is not only the cold and hunger that the refugees have to fear. Operating year round, Care4Calais aim to provide warm clothing, bedding, food and medical assistance to people in desperate need. They also provide social support and interaction, including language lessons and sports and music workshops.

Volunteering in Calais was very hard work, both physically and mentally, but also incredibly rewarding. I spent my mornings working in a warehouse, sorting donations, and preparing food and items for distribution, and I spent my afternoons travelling to refugee settlements to distribute food, clothing, and other services. I met some incredible people, both volunteers and refugees alike, and stay in touch with many. Although it brings me a lot of joy when I receive messages from people letting me know they have reached England safely, it breaks my heart when I hear from friends who haven’t eaten in days, who are freezing with no warm clothing, or who have been violently evicted from their homes. It is even more saddening when I see the faces of friends in the news who have died during the treacherous crossing from France to England. Change needs to happen. 

I was planning on returning to Calais over the Christmas holidays to continue volunteering, but unfortunately due to the lockdown, as well as commitments at University, I am unable to do this. I am currently carrying out research for my dissertation; exploring how state negligence has resulted in human rights violations and police brutality in Calais. Once this is complete, I plan on returning to Calais, before starting work next year.

Until then, I thought that the least I could do is to take on this challenge to fundraise for such an important cause!