'Overwhelming' donations given to Afghan citizens housed in Chickerell
Chickerell Town Council say local support has 'meant the world'
Five truckloads of donations have been given to people who fled Afghanistan and now being housed in Chickerell.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is using the Chickerell Military Camp in Dorset to house people who supported the UK government and military in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Dorset Council said: “Men, women and children, who have the right to remain in the UK, would be housed there for up to six weeks at a time while more permanent Ministry of Defence homes were found.”
Nicola Briar, Town Clerk at Chickerell Town Council, told us the support from the local community has “meant the world” to the Afghan citizens and the number of donations has been “overwhelming.”
She said: “We knew we had a closeknit and caring community, so we knew we'd get donations, but we've been left speechless by the generosity of the people of Chickerell and the surrounding areas.”
Dorset Council have made it clear that the people are "not refugees" and have a "right to remain in the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy.
The scheme was set up to help Afghan citizens and their families who worked for or with the UK government and armed forces.
But many of them arrived with “very little,” having fled their home country when the Taliban retook power in 2021, prompting Chickerell Town Council to begin a collection.
Nicola Briar said: “They really are in need of everything and I think because it's going on for another six months, we are going to need more winter clothes like coats, warm blankets etc.
“The feedback we've had from the camp is that the donations are gratefully received and they are enjoying life there.
“So, although it's probably not the best environment for them, they're doing their best to make it as hospitable as possible.”