Refugee effort appeals for manpower

EMOTIONAL journey . . . Sajjad (right) with a volunteer from High Wycombe and Syrian orphans

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RELIEF worker Sajjad Malik has issued a heartfelt plea for more help in Oldham’s bid to aid desperate Middle-East refugees

The boss of New Image Carpets in Hathershaw went out with a group from Oldham and High Wycombe to the Greek island of Lesbos earlier this month, where thousands of refugees have landed to win asylum in the EU.

The group first sent a large container of vital supplies and then flew out to Greece to distribute them.

Now the Oldham contingent has set up a clothes bank, as well as a medical and food tent.

But more still needs to be done, Sajjad says.

Sajjad claims the Government tried to get their aid tents shut down, but relented after local pressure.

He said: “People are coming off boats and there are no facilities. These people just want help. If you give them food they respect it, they show a lot of love.”

He is trying to organise a rota for the whole year so there is always a a team of doctors on standby - medical cover currently ends at 5pm.

“We need more manpower,” he urged. “My phone is going crazy — I’ve had endless calls. There are doctors who want to work but there are no facilities. We’re not a massive organisation but the bigger agencies are nowhere to be seen.”

Sajjad is planning to return to Greece in mid-November with another aid convoy.

Anyone who would like to help in any way should contact Sajjad on 07595-420 115.