Volunteers get a taste of life as refugee

KINDHEARTED Oldhamers will brave a refugee survival camp this weekend to raise money for those fleeing war-torn Syria.

The Oldham volunteers will be among up to 80 people from across Greater Manchester expected to joine the camp in Stockport. Participants will spend 24 hours exposed to the elements. They will walk five miles to reach it, will live on rations similar to those for refugees, and will shelter under the same tents that Islamic Relief is providing across the Middle East and South Asia.

The Stockport camp is one of three across the UK.

Zia Salik, Islamic Relief’s national community fundraising manager, said: “Our survival camps are an exciting new idea. They will give participants a chance to experience life as a refugee, if only for 24 hours, and raise money at the same time.

“Their efforts, and the donations of the wider community, will help support our life-saving work.”

Every £165 donated is enough to provide the bare essentials for a family of five to survive the winter, including a stove, clothes and boots for the children, a month’s supply of food and warm bedding.

Visit www.islamic-relief.org.uk for more information or to donate.