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CHARITY champions DHL Express have been acting as Santa’s helper by collecting huge containers full of donated blankets and socks this week from our family of readers who have supported GulfWeekly’s Wrap-up for Christmas Appeal 2015 in aid of Syrian refugees.
The logistics company called into St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manama, Bahrain Rugby Club in Janabiya, the Multinational School-Bahrain in Adliya and the British School of Bahrain in Hamala and its team of collectors were staggered by the overwhelming response to the campaign.
"We've become accustomed to the fact that whenever we appeal to the people we are never disappointed. This time was no different, in fact it was a very impressive effort by the community in Bahrain," said Phil Armatage, country manager DHL Express Iraq and Afghanistan.
"800kg of blankets and socks is an incredible number so far, and I want to thank everyone that has contributed; their efforts will go a long way in making this winter more tolerable for the children and families that lost their homes."
GulfWeekly launched the region’s first-ever newspaper Christmas appeal exactly one month before Christmas Day. We asked our readers to open their hearts over the run up to the festive period and as they prepared to celebrate National Day and mark Accession Day.
Cathedral administrator Fozia Prince said: “It’s been amazing – we have been receiving donations every single day – it’s so heartening.”
Our campaign, which ends on Sunday, is simple … we are appealing for just blankets and socks to ensure desperate families living under basic tented shelter do not freeze to death during the winter months in refugee camps set up in countries surrounding the war-torn country.
DHL, the world’s leading express delivery and logistics company, with a regional headquarters in Bahrain, and GulfWeekly’s partner in the Wrap-up for Christmas Appeal 2015 initiative, will endeavour to deliver the first supplies by Christmas morning.
St Christopher’s Cathedral in Manama and Bahrain Rugby Football Club in Janabiya and local schools have offered to act as collection points for YOUR donations.
GulfWeekly Editor Stan Szecowka said: “Thank you for your amazing support and please keep donating blankets and socks until Sunday!
“One person can’t change the world, but you can change the world for one person, to quote our friend The Very Reverend Christopher Butt of St Christopher’s Cathedral.”
