Former IKEA in Coventry to be used to store Afghan refugee donations
A charity has been inundated with unwanted and unused clothing
Coventry residents have responded so generously to an appeal for urgently needed clothes and shoes for Afghan refugees that the former IKEA building is being called on to store donations.
Coventry charity, Carriers of Hope, recently launched an appeal with support from the Council, asking local residents to donate any unwanted and unused clothing items to their warehouses.
The success of the initial appeal left Carriers of Hope inundated with a large volume of generous donations that meant more space was needed.
As a result of the generous response, Coventry City Council has granted permission for Carriers of Hope to temporarily take over the loading bay of the former IKEA store.
Deputy Leader for Coventry City Council, Councillor Abdul Salam Khan, praised the united effort shown by local organisations in response to the crisis in Afghanistan.
He said: “Coventry’s foundations are firmly rooted in our ability to collectively support one another – and strangers - in both times of peace and peril.
“Seeing so many Coventry residents and local businesses come together to support Afghan nationals displaced from their homes exemplifies the warm and welcoming nature of Coventry residents. Carriers of Hope have been exemplary in demonstrating an enormous amount of dignity, warmth and compassion to those facing challenging circumstances.
“I have no doubt that as a city of peace and reconciliation, Coventry will proudly continue to lead the way and support those in most need of our help for as long as we must.”
Sue Sampson, CEO of Carriers of Hope, said: “We’ve been absolutely overwhelmed by the support we’ve received over the past few weeks and amazed by the kindness of the people of Coventry and their empathy to complete strangers.
“It’s been a busy few weeks here at Carriers of Hope, so much so that we’ve had to start a new charity as part of Carriers of Hope called Clothing Coventry to help deal with the demand.
“We would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us so far, we take enormous pride and joy in knowing that Coventry’s togetherness is very much alive and well.”
In a fast moving situation needs are constantly changing, Carriers of Hope are regularly updating the kind of donations they need on their Carriers of Hope and Clothing Coventry Facebook pages; and on their website.
Requested Clothing items can be delivered to Clothing Coventry at 19, Napier St, CV1 5PR on Mondays to Wednesdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm.
Other publicised items to Carriers of Hope at Unit 4B Lythalls Lane Industrial Estate CV6 6FL on Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 1.00pm.