Help flooding in for Oxfam’s Haiti appeal

RARE find . . . shop assistant Barbara Campbell with the RAC handbook

Rare handbook among donated goods

Oxfam says Oldham people have come up trumps again by restocking their charity shop so they can raise funds for the Haiti appeal.

After the Chronicle photographed manageress Gail Jackson in the Yorkshire Street shop’s empty stockroom in January, donations have been pouring in.

They include a 1971 RAC Guide and Handbook, which has been valued on the internet at more than £2,000, which was found among a collection of vintage books which have been donated.

The range and quality has amazed the volunteers who have been busy sorting and pricing the clothes, toys, jewellery, music and books.

Gail said: “Oldhamers have turned up trumps once more. We have been overwhelmed by their generosity in giving us such excellent items for sale.

“Even though Haiti is disappearing from our TV screens the need is still great and with the help of the public we are continuing to raise money for the vital work that still needs to be done. Children particularly have been most generous in their donations. Such generosity has spurred us on to work even harder to raise as much as we can so that those in Haiti who have lost everything can be given hope for the future.”

The latest news from the earthquake-flattened island from Mark Fried, the Oxfam representative in Haiti, is that although the search and rescue phase is over, efforts have not slowed down.

He said: “Hundreds of thousands who lost everything but their lives need water for drinking and washing.

“They need latrines to contain the spread of disease. They need shelter and simple household items like cooking pots.

“Haitians are grieving, but they are also buoyed by the generous outpouring of support from around the world.

Despite the losses they have suffered, they are working hard to turn the empty lots, golf courses and churchyards where they have taken refuge into places where they can live in dignity.”