Hi!

It's Delia & India here.

We're headed to Calais to volunteer at the Refugee Community Kitchen, a volunteer-run and donation-based charity committed to serving nutritious, warm and thoughtful food to displaced people.

'Not only does Refugee Community Kitchen keep people highly nourished but they are also providing a moment in the day where people can gather and connect. The food distributions recreate a sense of community and provide a safe space for medical and legal services, safeguarding groups and other support.'

As lovers of food and with a great fondness for how it brings loved ones together, this is a cause that we feel very passionate about, especially at this time of year. It would be wonderful if you could help us achieve, or even beat our target through a donation, big or small. Every £1 creates 2 meals, so every penny counts!

Thank you ❤️

P.S. Remember to claim Gift Aid ✨

~

More on the current situation:

Since the destruction of 'The Jungle' in 2016, the mainstream media have turned away from a problem that still exists.

There are currently around 1,000 refugees sleeping rough in Calais and Dunkirk; another 500 in Brussels; and over 1,500 in Paris. They have no access to even basic sanitation and may not have changed their clothes in weeks, leading to skin disease and similar problems. They have no shelter at night or regular food supply, and their health is in shocking decline. There’s hundreds of minors and families with children and babies living in the most squalid conditions. They only rely on the help of grass-root organisations and individuals.

The French authorities' decision to erase the Calais 'Jungle' in October 2016 took away what little stability and shelter the camp provided to the refugees. These already extremely vulnerable individuals have been forced to hide in the undergrowth and are routinely subjected to raids on all of their belongings by police, who also prevent charities from giving out tents. A new report by Human Rights Watch has found police routinely uses pepper spray against migrants – including children, even as they sleep-, and beatings are an everyday occurrence.