Convoy to Calais 18 June - Urgent appeal

A group of volunteers from the Pankhurst Trust, Independent Choices Greater Manchester Helpline and Manchester Rape Crisis are representing their organisations on the North West Convoy to Calais on the 18 June. Unison are covering the core costs of the trip.

Stand up to Racism, People's Assembly Against Austerity, Unite the Union, Communications Workers Union, Momentum, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Syria Relief, Muslim Heritage Centre, are organising the convoy to Calais on 18 June to build solidarity with refugees.

The group of volunteers will be joining a feeder delegation from Manchester to raise awareness about the particular issues faced by women and girls on their perilous journey. For more details on the convoy visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1684516101814433/.

Now more than ever we need a huge response to the refugee crisis to counter the racist rhetoric across Europe trying to demonise and disenfranchise victims of war, oppression and poverty. Some of the largest mass movements in Britain have joined together with major trade unions to show solidarity, and the group of volunteers are keen to add their voice in support of refugee women and girls who face sexual and physical abuse at endemic levels before they begin their journey, in the camps and even when they reach the ‘safety’ of Europe.

You can give aid of any sort, material or financial, to the Convoy to Calais. A full list of items required is available on the convoy main Facebook page. Emmeline’s Pantry Parlour are collecting The Pankhurst contribution through their facebook pages and, in particular, they are keen to take the following items:
• Boots/ shoes up to size 39 (no heels)
• Smaller cup size bras (up to 36C) new only
• Socks and underwear, new only
• Warm, waterproof coats (small and medium)
• Waterproof trousers, trousers, jeans and tracksuit bottoms (small, medium and large)
• Long-sleeved tops, jumpers and hoodies (small and medium)

Cash donations are always welcome, you can donate at the Pankhurst Centre or via The Pankhurst Trust justgiving page, here: www.justgiving.com and these will be sent to the Women’s Centre in Calais so they can continue their important life-saving work.

If you want to join the convoy yourself, check out the facebook page. Any vehicle will do: lorry, bus, coach, van, minibus, car, taxi, motorbike or scooter.

This is practical aid but it is also a huge moving protest at the way governments across the continent are failing refugees. This is the time to come together and say: stop the scapegoating, solidarity with the refugees.