After donation points in Stone & around the borough were inundated with generous donations, Stafford Borough Council have now set up a JustGiving page in response to generous offers of support.
This week a large number of Afghan families were placed in short-term accommodation in Newcastle-under-Lyme by the Home Office, until they are offered permanent homes around the country.
Local public services including councils and the NHS are supporting these families with health, education and other needs and have also been inundated with offers of support from the community.
Alan White, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
“Here in Staffordshire, we are doing our bit to welcome and support Afghan evacuees following tragic recent events in their homeland. Local councils have already committed to support around 20 families in the county.
“The Government has also placed a number of families in temporary accommodation in Newcastle. In most cases these are people forced to flee their homes with only the possessions they could carry. So, we are hugely grateful for the offers of help. Every penny donated will go to those who need it most.”
The JustGiving page has been set up in partnership with local charity the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, to take donations that will be used to buy clothes, children’s toys and other essential items. Public agencies are kindly asking people not to donate clothes, toys or other items themselves.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, added:
“Some time ago we pledged our support to help refugees and their families who have assisted British forces in Afghanistan.
“It has been great to see so many people offer to help, but rather than sending items to us, the best way to do that is via a donation so that we can buy what the families need.”
To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/campaign/StaffordshireAfghanEvacuees
