New men seeking asylum are arriving all the time to be housed in a local hotel (total 120 there at any one time) – they literally have nothing but what they are standing up in. Why not have a look around and see if you have any of these much needed items which will be so gratefully received.
The items are distributed by the Friendship Group linked with St Mary’s Church and Horsforth Town of Sanctuary, who go to the hotel to run a conversation class every Monday.
Items needed at the moment are:
- Men’s clothes of any kind
- Coats and warmer clothes ready for winter
- Footwear – sliders/flipflops/trainers/walking boots
- Football boots
- Backpacks and suitcases / large bags
- Old mobile phones
- Old laptops
One man said ‘ I could really do with some walking boots because I like to walk for 2 hours every day for my health’.
Some other men said ‘ We love to play football every day, it helps us with our mood and is good exercise, if we could have football boots that would be fantastic’.
The men don’t always have a phone and so are cut off from their families back home.
The men only receive £9 a week and have to choose what to use it on – Phone credit? Bus fare to the solicitors? It doesn’t stretch very far as you can imagine.
Drop-off Points
Horsforth Community Cafe every Monday morning 10am – 2pm
at St Margaret’s Parish Centre
The Cafe have very kindly offered to take donated items whilst the cafe is running on Monday mornings – why not enjoy a cuppa or lunch at the same time! (Pay as you feel, helping to fight food waste).
Holy Name Church, Otley Old Rd – mornings Tues – Fridays 9.30-11am
The administrator at Holy Name Church is happy to receive your donated items whilst she is in the office, Tues – Friday mornings 9.30am -11 noon. Please ring 0113 2678257 before going to ensure she is there, thank you.
Please help if you can – your unwanted items languishing in a cupboard can make someone else’s life so much better.