News / Aid Box Community
Appeal to save Bristol refugee charity
Founders of a grassroots charity that provides vital supplies for refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol have warned their future hangs in the balance.
Aid Box Community (ABC) has launched an appeal to raise £25,000 for new premises after its Redland hub and free shop branded not fit for purpose and closed. It has already raised more than £10,000 after launching a crowdfunder last month.
The charity began in the winter of 2015, when a group of people responded to the refugee crisis in France by taking boxes of basic supplies to the people stuck in treacherous and inhumane conditions.
is needed now More than ever
On their return to Bristol, ABC founder Imogen Mcintosh established the free shop and community hub for refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol.
Speaking about the charity’s work, Imogen says: “Our service has been built with thousands of volunteers, people who are truly dedicated to providing support to the people most in need in our society.
“The premises is a vital, life-giving place for people to come and be welcomed with humanity and dignity and we work very closely with the other refugee organisations in Bristol who refer people to us regularly.
“The community in Bristol has been on the side of humanitarian response to tragedy and suffering as people have fled wars, persecution and natural disaster.
“But our situation is simple – with no home we have no service. Rent for a new place for the first year will cost around £25,000. That is a lot of money and it’s money we don’t currently have.
“We know that we can do this but time is against us. We now have to achieve our target to be able to move. The longer we are without a premises, the longer the people we support will go without.”
The charity runs an annual Refutree campaign each Christmas. Photo ©Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com
ABC supported more than 400 individuals and their families access supplies, support and sanctuary in Bristol. The charity, which is mainly volunteer-led, works closely with other refugee organisations to help provide a much-needed network for vulnerable displaced people.
Supporting the appeal, Thangam Debbonaire, MP for Bristol West and chair of the APPG for Refugees, said: “ABC has provided so much for so many since it started a few years ago.
“From my work with refugees and asylum seekers, I have seen first-hand how these people often come to the UK with nothing. ABC’s free shop and hub helps people build a life here.
“The charity cannot ensure its future without a home. I know that affordable property can be very hard to find in central Bristol. I urge anyone who can help to come forward and together we can get the free shop and hub up and running again in a new, even better home.”
ABC has also got the backing of Caroline Beatty, the vice chair of Bristol City of Sanctuary, who says the charity has helped fill a gap in provision for refugees and asylum seekers and must remain open.
ABC is keen to hear from anyone with property that comprises of 2,000sq ft and could lend itself to our mission.
To find out more and to donate visit: www.fundsurfer.com/crowdfund/aid-box-community.
Main photo ©Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com
Read more: Bristol’s pioneering asylum seeker employment project
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