Refugee passes up on new shoes to help others

We were distributing walking boots in Calais recently when I noticed my friend was not waiting in line. I asked him why and he told me his current pair are still decent enough, so he would rather our shoes went to someone who needed them more urgently.

Then he looked down at my trainers and noticed I had a small hole on the toe cap. He pointed it out to me and without even thinking twice suggested we should swap shoes! My friend didn’t want me to walk around with broken trainers, so he took off his pair and tried putting them in my hands. I didn’t accept it of course, but the gesture was really moving considering how valuable good shoes are in Calais.

I always knew distributing shoes during winter was essential because it gets so rainy and cold here, but it really hit home when I started seeing people wearing flip flops and sandals while walking on wet mud. I now know only too well the health problems that permanently wet feet can cause, especially when you’re sleeping rough.

This winter you can make sure everyone has warm and dry feet. Help us buy proper shoes for just £20 at care4calais.org/donate

Or if you’re feeling festive, give a refugee new shoes in your loved one’s name by buying a unique Christmas gift voucher at shop.care4calais.org