News / Aid Box Community
Refugee charity launches urgent appeal amid ‘unprecedented demand’
Aid Box Community (ABC) has launched an urgent appeal to fund an expansion of its services to meet an ever-increasing demand.
In what they describe as an “unprecedented situation”, bosses of the Cheltenham Road-based charity say they need help more than ever before to support the hundreds of people displaced from their homes.
ABC teams are working to help provide essential support and items to the 300 refugees arriving through the Homes for Ukrainians scheme, as well as many others expected in the coming weeks to join family members in the UK.
is needed now More than ever
Charity bosses say they will need to support more people than ever before, many of whom will be traumatised from fleeing their war-torn homes, and those who arrive independently or via illegal routes will have no government support.
“Our small charity has had to quickly expand once again to a big crisis,” says Imogen McIntosh, Aid Box’s founder and director.
“We will need to support both the people who have been displaced and the families taking people in. We need local support now more than ever before.”
Without any support from government, Imogen says most of the Ukrainian refugees will rely on charities for guidance, advice, sanctuary, and practical support, adding: “Please dig deep and support these refugee families arriving in Bristol. You can make a difference to the lives of these displaced people.”
The crowdfunder campaign aims to allow the charity to adapt and expand its services to meet the new demands of the Ukrainian crisis, as well to assist all the refugee communities across Bristol in these difficult times.
The money raised will go towards ABC’s essential aid and crisis funds, the former of which allows the charity to buy items that can’t be donated or are in short supply, from toiletries and nappies to food, underwear and bus fares.
The crisis fund makes it possible for the charity to respond to an immediate crisis situation, which could be a train fare for a legal appointment, urgent healthcare or to meet a sudden influx in demand as a consequence of conflict and persecution.
The charity is increasing the opening hours of its free shop and advice centre from three days to five, is recruiting new volunteers and staff, running additional programmes and increasing activities such as yoga, football, swimming, cycling and cooking classes.
Donate and find out more information via: www.justgiving.com/campaign/aidboxcommunitycrisisappeal
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Bristol: A city of sanctuary and opportunity
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