Thank you, Newcastle

It was so brilliant to see these Friends From The North in Calais! This group of people from Newcastle Unites not only raised £1700 for our work with refugees in France, they also made the long drive from north east England to Calais to deliver the cheque and spend the weekend volunteering with us.

Newcastle Unites is a campaign that includes trade unions, local councillors, representatives of the Muslim community, faith groups and anti-racist organisations, all coming together to show that “we, the people of Newcastle are united against all types of discrimination.” It was great to meet them, and show them the work we do in the warehouse and on distributions. They were very willing workers!

It means the world to us when people go to such lengths to support us like this. And at a time when the Government claims to be carrying out the wishes of the British people with its barbaric policies, it’s great to see regions speaking out and making it clear that refugees are actually welcomed by people all over the UK.

And if you meet any refugees this year who inexplicably begin exclaiming “why-aye man” or declaring you “canny”, them you’ll know who to blame!