Sheffield volunteers plan charity event to fund next trip to help Calais refugees

Volunteers from Sheffield who have been working to improve conditions in the Calais refugee camp are putting on a fundraiser ahead of their latest trip to France.
People from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last OctoberPeople from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last October
People from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last October

Members of the Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group have been working alongside Medecins Sans Frontieres to improve sanitation at the camp through litter picks and the organisation of waste collection.

Their last trip took place between October 23 and 25.

People from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last OctoberPeople from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last October
People from Sheffield to Calais Waste Management Group in the refugee camp last October

A spokesman said: “The aim of the group is to try to improve conditions for camp residents right now and prevent the spread of disease.”

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The migrant camp in Calais currently holds around 6,000 people.

In August, the British and French governments produced a joint statement saying Europe is experiencing ‘unprecedented pressure from migration’, with more than 340,000 arrivals in the first half of the year.

The statement said the numbers include ‘a mixture of people migrating for economic reasons and genuine victims of persecution’.

It added that both governments were concerned about ‘the difficult living conditions of migrants in Calais, which present health and sanitation challenges, alongside the risk of trafficking and other crime affecting the most vulnerable’.

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The Sheffield group are next visiting the camp in January and to fundraise are putting on a night called Calais Clean Up Knees Up! at The Hide on Scotland Street, Shalesmoor next Wednesday, December 16.

Live music will be provided by local band The Unscene, while an Iranian refugee called Reza will be performing acoustic Persian songs.

There will also be an auction with prizes including tennis lessons, meals out and massages.

Tickets cost £15 per person, which includes food. Email [email protected] or [email protected].