Refugee Week began on Monday, but at Biddulph Methodist Church’s Blankets for Dunkirk project there is a year-round awareness of those fleeing war and famine in far-off countries.
As reported previously in the “Chronicle”, the project began shortly before the pandemic when the first consignment of blankets was sent to a refuge in Dunkirk, France, which cares for women and children.
Appeals have been made regularly since then for knitted or crocheted squares, which are stitched together to make more blankets. These are then taken by car across the Channel by project co-ordinator Sue Millard and her team.
Clothes for women and children living in the hostel have also been required to keep them dry and warm.
The blankets project has also helped those caught up in the war in Ukraine.
As word has spread about the successful project, blankets now arrive in Biddulph from across the country. The next trip to Dunkirk will be in July. Anyone who would like to contribute knitted or crocheted squares is welcome to help the project.
Other items required are clean clothing for children up to 10 years of age and new underwear, in small sizes, for women.
Mrs Millard said: “When I visit the camps and registration centres around Calais, I am always amazed at the resilience of the women who have often walked hundreds of miles, are usually wet, footsore and weary, but their hopes of a settled life and freedom from violence, destruction and oppression are paramount.
“They do not see themselves as victims; I suppose if we’d escaped alive from bombing and persecution we would also try to be positive about the future.”
Any donations, squares and wool can be taken to Biddulph Methodist Church on Station Road or contact Mrs Millard on 01782 512 995 or email suemowcop@gmail.com.
She said: “May I take this opportunity to thank everyone who continues to work hard with contributions to the women’s refuge. Many people are very grateful.”
The theme of Refugee Week this year is “Courage” and has taken inspiration from the lives and experiences of people seeking sanctuary.
Organisers said: “At a time when some seek to divide and blame, Refugee Week 2026 calls us to come together and share the courage to welcome, to stand for what we believe in and to celebrate culture and community – to be joyful, imagine new possibilities, dream, heal and connect.”
The awareness week will mark 75 years since the Refugee Convention – a landmark agreement affirming that those forced to flee deserve protection, dignity and hope.
(Photographs: Sue Millard).
