Last Day in Calais

"Earlier today the Women and Children's centre in the 

Dunkirk camp was burnt down by the Kurdish mafia"

"Last night 2 people froze to death in Serbia"

"Thousands of children in Greece tonight 

going to sleep in temperatures of minus 9"

We are living in a genuine crises. People who only a few years ago had a warm bed, ripped from them in an anguish of political warfare. Today was an emotional and difficult day. We worked as hard as we could but still had this anger bubbling inside of us from the difficulties Dunkirk experienced this morning. It is unfathomable that this is happening in our day and age.

We continue to help.

As it was our last day we had the honour of teaching the new volunteers the way of the warehouse. I also sorted the overflow section to make it easier to stock. It was fantastic to get stuck in to all the work we could, and made today one of our most productive. It was however strange to note those around me, also on their last day, after being here for weeks, not quite used to the idea of leaving. In the warehouse there is a real sense of family. Everyone is here for the same reason, to help. Therefore it is only obvious that you start creating a sense of place here. 

One particular volunteer unfortunately couldn't come yesterday, apparently his flat got trashed by his now ex-tenants, what was really interesting is he houses refugees at his place as well as rents out flats. However the refugees (with no background check, no references or deposit) turned out to be the most pleasant to live with, but his tenants (with all relevant paperwork) turned out to be horrible bastards. For those out there who think refugees are 'dirty' should think again.

Aid sent out in a week.

The news keeps growing, at the moment we are living in this beautiful bubble of help, tomorrow we will hit back reality, with 'first world problems' and a 'normal' living situation. It is way too difficult to comprehend that our lives will ever go back to how they were. This life we lived this week was one of the most life-changing moments I have had. It determined to me once more how important it is for me to continue the work I am doing, to push on, to work my way up so that one day, the millions of people without a voice can be heard. So one day these quotes can be heard across a country and make a difference. So one day I can proudly represent the thousands and thousands of people helping others, and proudly do so by knowing I can make a difference, if others are by my side.

As my last blog on my journey I wanted to note down a few people that had a huge effect on my time there:

Chris Swann- 'Expert' at the Main Sort, a man with a perspective and determination to go on.

Ash Qureshi- Regular volunteer at the warehouse, runs the charity shop, a fantastic human being.

Nigel Lewis- also runs the charity shop and will forever be putting a smile on the faces of the volunteers whose emotions are running high, otherwise known as 'Spike'.

Ross, Claire and Maggie- three fabulous retired ladies with as much energy and determination as a young'un.

Sam Swann- The strength one man can have can affect an entire group.

Greg Richards- The welsh charms work on all as he reports back from the depths of camps and woodsheds.

Rose McGuvern- her incredible work at the warehouse continuously brings me great respect, and I am sure we will be working together in the future.

To all the refugees- your determination to continue is the greatest determination of them all.

Until next time.

And to all that made our journey so incredible, so life-changing and so brilliant.

Thank-you,

xoxo

http://www.helprefugees.org.uk/ - please have a look at the fantastic work this charity does.