The open letter from Rosemary Earle

Over the past month the difficult news about Covid has been superseded by the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan and my customers, the generous members of the Old Town community, have been troubled by the fate of those still at home and those forced to flee their home.

Last week, we published a letter from Rose Earle, our local newsagent, inviting contributions of clothes and practical items.

Rose has phoned to say she has been overwhelmed by the response by her customers and she has asked us all to “Hold back on the gifts for the moment” The Harbour Project has not enough storage space to cope with a load more at this time; but nearer Christmas there might be a need for more. However gifts of money need little storage and would be most welcome! Rose would be happy to receive monetary gifts to help these people and is willing to pass them on to The Harbour Project for these refugees, most of whom have had to leave all their possessions (including any savings in the bank) well and truly behind. You can find out more about the Harbour Project here

You can donate directly to the Harbour Project here

Thank you Rose for doing this on behalf of us all in Old Town.

NB: Further to this article, Rose and Margaret Williams had the opportunity of taking some of the gifts donated to one of the places where Afghan refugees are temporarily staying. When we arrived, a small group of boys were playing outside; we stopped to speak to them and, although only one of them spoke English, the joy on their faces was obvious. I cannot imagine what they might have witnessed and lived through in their lives, but it was wonderful to see them playing freely and enjoying themselves now. It made our day! M.W.

Footnote

Hours after Rose and I returned from giving the gifts to the Afghan people, Rose’s husband, Miles died very suddenly so our sympathy is with Rose and her family. For this reason, please do not take any more gifts to Rose’s shop as she has enough to cope with at the moment.