Two Exeter students will be leaving Freshers for France this weekend to provide on-scene support to the deserted refugees in Calais.
Moved to action by the plight of families left stranded in the Northern French port city due to the escalating refugee crisis, Georgina Lewis and Bea Fones will make the trip this Friday 18 September, having planned it just 9 days earlier.
“I spent summer in South Africa in a lovely rural village and was largely away from the news and media, blissfully unaware of the escalating refugee crisis. I came back on 3 September to see countless news stories and posts on Facebook about the refugee crisis, and was horrified by the stories I read and saw,” Georgina told Exeposé.
“Everything I believe in, all of my values regarding humanity and compassion, felt like they were being tested. I have always said that if a crisis happened and I was near enough to help, then I would make sure I found a way how to. Now I was in that position, and didn’t know where to start.”
Having contacted the relevant organisations, Georgina then made an open invitation on Facebook for others to join her on her journey to which Bea responded.
As they will be travelling as foot passengers with minimal luggage allowance, the pair intend to buy supplies in France and have since set up a JustGiving page, aiming to raise £200 in order to buy clothing, shoes, food supplies and other basic essentials.
Despite travelling with limited physical donations, Georgina and Bea will be armed with letters of support and are inviting other Exeter students to get involved.
“The refugees are in an appalling situation, and none of us can fix that for them, but we do have the ability to help make sure they feel worth something, that after everything there are still strangers who care about them. Compassion can make such a huge difference and so many people don’t realise,” Georgina added.
“If anyone would like to write a letter of support, I can take it with me on Friday, so please email me by Thursday night (g.h.lewis@exeter.ac.uk). You can spread your care this way, for free.”
Exeposé will be following Georgina and Bea on their journey. Stay tuned for updates.
