Sefton Afghan Appeal launched to help families fleeing from Afghanistan

Southport people are being encouraged to do what they can to help families from Afghanistan who may find themselves resettling in Sefton in the coming weeks and months.

Sefton Council, Sefton Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) and Sefton 4 Good are working in partnership to coordinate a borough-wide response.

This will be similar to those taking place throughout the UK, to help Afghan people starting a new life in the North West.

All funds raised through the Sefton Afghan Appeal will be used to purchase bespoke items including appropriate clothing, toys and household items such as kitchen utensils.

Donations of newly-bought goods, sealed clothing, children’s shoes and toiletries are also being gratefully received and will form a ‘welcome pack’ to be distributed to families.

Due to COVID-19 control measures, organisers are unable to accept donations of second-hand goods or unsealed items.

The borough-wide appeal will see eight locations across Sefton set up as donation drop-off points, while a dedicated fundraising platform has been created where kind-hearted residents can contribute.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We are all too aware of the devastation and conflict taking place right now in Afghanistan and, like many others across the UK, we are doing all we can in Sefton to help support displaced families who have been forced to flee their homeland.

“The Council and its partners at Sefton CVS and Sefton 4 Good have immediately sprung into action and launched a dedicated fundraising platform to help in these coming weeks and months.

“We know the people of Sefton is a welcoming Borough that cares for their fellow humans in need and I am confident that our communities will give as much as they possibly can do the Sefton Afghan Appeal, whether that be via a financial contribution or via a donation of much needed goods and clothing.

“Sefton Council has offered eight of its buildings to act as donation points for the appeal and we continue to work closely with partners to ensure we are doing everything in our power to help.

“Please, if you can, give generously to this appeal and lend your support to these families many of whom have arrived with very few belongings but the clothes they are wearing.”

Angela White OBE, Chief Executive at Sefton CVS, said: “Following the devastating situation in Afghanistan, Sefton CVS are working in partnership with Sefton Council and other voluntary, community and faith (VCF) organisations to coordinate and provide welcome to Afghan families resettling in Sefton over the coming weeks.

“The Sefton Afghan Appeal will enable us to provide bespoke items to directly support families when they arrive in Sefton. We are also encouraging local residents to donate newly-bought sealed items such as clothing and toiletries which can be dropped off at a number of designated donation points across the borough. We know how generous and welcoming our local residents and businesses are, and your vital support will make such a difference in resettling Afghan families into our communities.”

For more information regarding the Sefton Afghan Appeal or to donate, please visit www.sefton4good.org.uk.

For all enquiries about the Sefton Afghan Appeal, please email afghanappeal@seftoncvs.org.uk.

Drop Off Locations are: 

Southport Library, 112 Lord Street, Southport

Talbot Street Family Wellbeing Centre, St Andrew’s Place, Southport

Formby Library, 17D Duke St, Formby

Marie Clarke Family Wellbeing Centre, Linacre Lane, Bootle

Bootle Library, 220 Stanley Road, Bootle

Netherton Family Wellbeing Centre, Magdalen Square, Netherton

Sefton Carers Centre, 27-37 South Road, Waterloo

Crosby Library, Crosby Road North, Waterloo

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