Old Dane talks about aid at Dunkirk Migrant Camp - donations needed!
Old Dane Dan Chadder visited school today to talk to students in assembly about his ongoing work with the charity Help Refugees. Dan informed the students that 27th January is Holocaust Memorial Day, which was designated as an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. Dan spoke about the enforced emigration of Jews at the beginning of the Second World War, and stated that United Nations statistics reveal that in 2017 there are 65 million people worldwide who have been displaced from their home country as a result of fleeing war and persecution. A third of these refugees are under the age of 18.
Dan spoke of his experiences during the last four months in refugee camps at Calais, and now at Dunkirk, where 1400 refugees are currently living in shelters. He spoke of how there are few facilities for the diverse nationalities who are staying there, but described how friendships are formed during discussions as a result of classes and talks which are held at the camp for the refugees.
Dan informed the students that most of the refugees do not possess a pair of decent shoes, and that donations of warm clothing are urgently needed. Parents at school will receive a communication with full details of how their families can help with providing refugees with warm clothing. Daily collections of items in labelled bags will be made in the Sixth Form Foyer before morning registration all next week, and donations of good quality, clean items will be greatly appreciated.
Dan returns to the camp at Dunkirk shortly, and the school extend their thanks to him for sharing his experiences at the camps with our students. We wish him well on his return to Dunkirk, and look forward to welcoming him back in the future to hear how his valuable work is progressing.