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Canterbury’s Big Wrap For Refugees

A University of Kent society organised a volunteering event for refugees.

The Red Cross Society, led by president Tom Habing, ran ‘The Big Wrap’ on December 13th.

The aim of the campaign was to wrap boxes and fill them with presents to be given to refugees in the UK.

Habing, a Maths student at University of Kent said: “The project is to help refugees and asylum seekers within the UK, many of which will already be associated with The British Red Cross.”

In the UK alone we have 117,234 refugees and 37,829 asylum seekers.

This a nationwide campaign, with 70 boxes required from Kent.

High-street and Charity’s shops helped the campaign by donating empty shoe boxes which were then filled with essentials such as face wipes, soap, gloves and socks.

How can you help?

The British Red Cross suggests:

  1. Gather empty shoe boxes
  2. Find suitable items for the boxes
  3. Fundraise for the Red Cross refugee appeals
  4. Make it an Event, create an assembly line, eat mince pies and listen to music!

Ben Weatherburn, the Engagement and Development manager for the British Red Cross said: “Wrapping for Refugees is a project aimed to spread a bit of joy among refugee families and networks across the UK. Providing a few essential and fun items in decorated boxes can provide some much-needed happiness among what can be a difficult period.”