Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that I could take a van to Calais?

79 replies

NotTodaySatan · 03/09/2015 12:15

I've spent the morning with a local grassroots organisation packing up two vans that are now en route to Calais.

It doesn't feel like I'm doing enough. As the colder weather approaches the living conditions of these 4,000 people are going to get worse and worse.

Ideally I'd like to help the children already in Greece (and have donated to charities helping them) but it's not feasible to drive there.

I was going to to speak to the Head of my DD's school at pick up today and ask if I can establish a donation point at school. I would also set up a FB page to raise awareness and approach local papers/radio to try and get a mention. I would also, of course, pester local MNers for anything they could donate Grin.

Have already checked and the van hire would be pretty affordable. I've been driving for 17 years without so much as a bump so am confident on that front.

Am I BU and/or insane?

OP posts:
MsJamieFraser · 03/09/2015 12:17

So you will be helping illegal immigrants to enter your country with no legal documentation?

Isn't that illegal

no clue about the legalities of this
However if it were that simple, most would not be at Calais

Original poster
NotTodaySatan · 03/09/2015 12:19

Yeah I'm not planning taking a van to bring people back Hmm.

It's fairly obvious from my OP that I plan to bring much needed supplies. Clothes, footwear, toiletries, food.

OP posts:
SaucyJack · 03/09/2015 12:19

Why would it be insane? It's only a car ferry to Calais.

Have you checked whether you need prior arrangement with the camp to drop stuff off, or whether you can just rock up on the day with donations?

shoopshoopsong · 03/09/2015 12:20

Ms Jamie I think OP means to take aid there, not smuggle people back..

OP - go for it, would be great more schools involved

Samcro · 03/09/2015 12:20

good luck with coming back empty

TelephoneIgnoringMachine · 03/09/2015 12:22

Nice assumption, Jamie. The OP clearly mentioned donations.

wigglesrock · 03/09/2015 12:23

Have you got contacts with an organisation in Calais that can distribute your donations? I was on another thread last night , sorry I can't remember which one where a poster mentioned someone she knew did the same thing but wasn't allowed any near the camp to distribute goods. I think a charity took the stuff with a promise to distribute them.

CarriesBucketOfBlood · 03/09/2015 12:23

YANBU to want to do something about the living conditions of people in Calais or in Southern Europe but I think you have to recognise that the people in Calais are largely economic migrants (hence why charities are only asking for men's clothing and hygiene products) whereas in Southern Europe there are huge amounts of Syrian refugees.

Therefore if you want to help the refugees, I would say continue to donate money to charity rather than drive to Calais.

While I personally do not believe that the economic migrants should be allowed to enter the UK, I do think that they deserve a certain standard of living and need charity support too.

I personally might be concerned about safety going into 'the jungle' at Calais, and probably wouldn't drive there myself. Have you spoken to the charity that does drive down there and asked what it is like/ where the hand out supplies etc to ensure that 1) you stay safe and 2) the supplies reach those in need.

WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 03/09/2015 12:24

A bit more info??

Where are you? London to Calais is reasonable, Glasgow to Calais is a bit much.

What would you do when you get there? Throw stuff over fences like feeding zoo animals?

What if you have nothing to take?

It's a nice idea to help these people. But I think you would be more effective if you contact a charity that helps them. Volunteer your services to them. They would probably appreciate a driver. And they know all the legalities.

They also know which items are most needed.

Humphriescushion · 03/09/2015 12:24

No yanbu. I wish I could do more to. Can you help send more vans with the organization you are already working for?

MsJamieFraser · 03/09/2015 12:25

Actually it isn't and wasn't clear. Hence why I replied the way I done, because I don't understand why its insane taking much needed supplies to people in need.

The insane comment is why I answered the way I had originally.

bec232 · 03/09/2015 12:26

We are doing the same thing here (South East) there is a collection at a local town this weekend and then several people are driving vans over. This is being coordinated with official charities in Calais. Pm me of you would like more details.

MaudGonneMad · 03/09/2015 12:26

How do you know they are illegal immigrants, MrsJamieFraser? Why are they not asylum seekers or refugees?

DustingOffTheDynastySuit · 03/09/2015 12:26

There are facebook groups which make it clear they do want donations and volunteers, but htey need to be co-ordinated. For example, un-coordinated handouts of tents/food etc tend to cause chaos and then the French police get involved.

Have a read though and you will see that van loads are welcome, they just need to have the right things in them and go to the right central distribution points. It sounds like htere is a degree of organisation in the 'Jungle' camp at least.

The one thing I kept reading was that they desperately need volunteers to help clean the camp - so people willing to clean up, litter pickers, gloves, plastic bins (not metal, they;ll be turned into braziers).

Lweji · 03/09/2015 12:27

I wouldn't advise driving there by yourself, but rather volunteer with an organization, either donating, or going in a van with a group.

You are most likely not prepared to deal with loads of people jumping on your supplies and you wouldn't be able to orderly distribute it.

TeaAndNoSympathy · 03/09/2015 12:28

It's not insane but you need to make sure that

a) you are aware of whatever the arrangements at the camp may be for dropping off supplies.

b) you are taking things they actually need. If you have a look at the CalAid FB page, they are asking for very specific items including men's trainers (not women's/kids) and smartphones.

sugar21 · 03/09/2015 12:31

A Mumsnetter went over with a van last weekend and the French authorities wouldn't let her near the camp but took the parcels she had made up to some sort of distribution centre.
Maybe better to see if the Greek and Turkish authorities have any aid schemes that you could donate to. The people over there are refugees and desperately need our help

Moregravyplease · 03/09/2015 12:34

I think it's best to donate to people that know what they are doing or to offer your services as a volunteer to a charity already established.

I have never donated to an unregistered charity.

RealityCheque · 03/09/2015 12:36

Maud

Because if they were genuine refugees they would claim asylum in the first safe country they come to (in line with international convention).

There mere fact they are sat in a safe country (FRANCE) WITHOUT claiming asylum means that they are economic migrants. And as such can fuck off.

SaucyJack · 03/09/2015 12:40

That's a very good point Carrie.

If one is particularly motivated to help Syrian child refugees in Turkey after seeing the photos of little Aylan and Galip, then sending your husband's old shoes to African men in Calais may not be the most productive course of action.

Our local collection point doesn't want anything for women or children.

Awholelottanosy · 03/09/2015 12:41

Have you contacted Calaid, they are doing stuff like this? They have a list of things needed there. There's also a Facebook group organising pick ups. However they seem to be saying that they have enough donated goods at the moment,and not enough people on the ground to process rivals. They also need French/Arabic speakers and books in various languages.

Awholelottanosy · 03/09/2015 12:42

Not rivals, meant stuff!

Lweji · 03/09/2015 12:43

Maybe because they'd prefer to claim asylum in the UK, maybe because they speak English and not French? Maybe because they already know people in the UK, but not France?
And the UK sits nice and comfortable, refusing to take refugees, and leaving all the responsibility to those countries that happen to be closer to the countries of origin.

MsJamieFraser · 03/09/2015 12:52

I said illegal immigrants because as of yet it has to be determined if they are seeking asylum or refugees status.

There's a difference between the two I believe, However my limited knowledge in this subject, to me it means if they have neither seeked or sought either political protection, because then they would not be sitting at Calais. As far as I am aware they are classed as illegal immigrants until a desist on is made by the government to their claim/status.

I meant no offence or derogatory wordings by saying they were illegal immigrants, because to me that's what they are until which ever country's government they seek, see's their individual case.

partialderivative · 03/09/2015 12:53

Calaid says they need smart phones?! Surely not.

I could not see that on their webite

Swipe left for the next trending thread