Agency seeks partners to distribute Turkey and Syria earthquake aid
Will PayneAn agent has made an impassioned plea for support from the travel industry to help transport earthquake relief aid donated by her agency’s clients to earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
Katrina Pike, manager of Hays Travel Bexleyheath, offered her store as a collection point for clothes and other essential goods after a local Turkish restaurant called for donations on behalf of the Turkey and Syria appeal.
Over the three days that followed, the store was inundated with donations, ranging from clothes and toys to medical supplies and blankets. "The response from our regular customers and the local area was fantastic," Pike told TTG. "We had customers coming in for three days straight. We had cases and cases worth of clothes and other aid."
The agency then delivered the goods to the restaurant, which in turn transported three van loads of supplies to a relief organisation sending the items to the impacted areas. However, the restaurant subsequently informed Pike it would be pausing collections despite the high street agency still holding numerous donations.
"We didn’t want to turn people away who were being so kind and donating, so we contacted other charities to see if they wanted to take our items, but they were unable to," Pike continued.
"We just feel bad excuse we have all of this stuff but no way of getting it to the people in need. If anyone can help us donate the remaining stock, we would be so grateful."
On behalf of Unicef’s Turkey and Syria appeal, the store has also raised £250 for relief efforts in the two countries, where nearly 50,000 people have died following the quakes on 6 February.
For more information, or to assist, the store can be reached via bexleyheath@hays-travel.co.uk.
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