Anglo-Jordanian Society Launches Crutches for Kindness Campaign
…
With the humanitarian crisis escalating in Gaza, it is estimated there are over 10,000 people who have had one or both limbs amputated, including an estimated 5,000 children, and crutches, walking sticks and walking aids of all sizes – for adults and children – are desperately needed.
xxx
The Anglo-Jordanian Society (AJS), a charity based in the UK that promotes friendship and understanding between the UK and Jordan, has launched the “Crutches for Kindness” campaign, supported by The College of Medicine.
xxx
The AJS and HRH Princess Sarvath, who is a Joint Patron of the AJS with HRH Prince Hassan and HRH Duke of Kent, hope to spread the word through AJS members and its partners to motivate the public to check their cupboards for unwanted crutches, walking sticks, or walking aids that the NHS will not take back to help support amputees in Gaza.
xxx
“Watching the tragedy unfold in Gaza, where amongst the many displaced and injured, are thousands of amputees, I was reminded that many homes in the UK probably have some perfectly serviceable crutches used just once, but then put away and forgotten. These can well be reused by those unfortunates, many of whom are being rehabilitated in Jordan. This would be a simple way to provide some much needed support. If the idea of “Kindness Through Crutches” succeeds, it will be but a drop in the ocean of what is needed, but every little thing counts, and I am enormously grateful to everyone who has supported the idea.”
HRH Princess Sarvath
xxx
xxxx
Dedicated collection points have been identified across England & Wales, through the generosity of the YMCA and Violet Melchett Health and Wellbeing Hub, for people to bring their unwanted crutches and walking aids of all sizes. See full list below.
These will be open from Wednesday 24th July 2024 to Friday 4th October 2024.
xxx
xxx
”The extent of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza is indescribable. Every contribution matters. Everyone can be an advocate for humanity. Collective, rapid and coordinated humanitarian campaigns are much needed even more today. We praise the “Crutches for Kindness” campaign and invite everyone to support it. Every contribution, however little, will have an immeasurable impac”
His Excellency Ambassador Manar Dabbas, Jordanian Ambassador to the UK
xxx
Members of the public who do not have any crutches or walking aids but would like to help, can make a donation to the AJS, where proceeds will go to buying some crutches on their behalf and contribute to packaging costs of the crutches. Donations can be made via the AJS website:
xxx
DS Freight have generously agreed to collect and deliver the walking aids. They will then be transported to Jordan thanks to the generosity of Royal Jordanian Airlines. From there they will be sent to Gaza through The Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization – The JHCO.
xxx
These donations will make a significant impact on the lives of individuals, providing them with much-needed support and mobility, and will be distributed to hospitals and clinics where they can benefit the most vulnerable.
xxx
xxx
HOW TO DONATE
– If crutches are a pair, please have them taped together – all sizes welcome
– Please clean them if necessary
– Drop them at one of the drop-off points, listed below
If you don’t have crutches but would like to get involved, you can donate to the AJS towards the Crutches for Kindness campaign via our website:
Proceeds will go towards the Crutches for Kindness campaign to buy some walking aids on your behalf and contribute towards packaging costs.
xxx
xxx
DROP OFF POINTS
We have established drop-off points which will be open from Wednesday 24th July 2024 to Friday 20th September 2024.
xxx
We have the following centres as dedicated drop-off points:
xxxxx
LONDON – Chelsea, London
Violet Melchett Health and Wellbeing Hub
30 Flood Walk, London, SW3 5RR
Open 8am to 8pm – 7 days a week
Contact number: 020 3621 4434 (manned Monday to Friday 9-5)
Contact email address: [email protected] (manned Monday to Friday 9-5)
xxx
BOURNEMOUTH / POOLE – YMCA Bayside Fitness Club
54 Willis Way
Poole, BH15 3SY
Phone: 01202 666212
Open 8am to 8pm – 7 days a week
xxx
TORBAY – YMCA South Devon
Dartmouth Road
Paignton
Devon, TQ4 6NX
Telephone number: 01803 551578
Open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
xx
xx
BATH – YMCA Brunel Group
International House
Broad Street Place
Bath, BA1 5LH
Reception: 01225 325900
Contact: [email protected]
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
xxx
BASINGSTOKE – YMCA Basingstoke
Eastrop Way, Basingstoke, RG21 4QD
Phone: 01256 479696
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
xxx
xx
For further media enquiries, please contact AJS or Dr Michael Dooley
ALL the YMCA charity shops across England and Wales can be used to drop off crutches.
Please see the YMCA website for locations of their shops to find your nearest YMCA shop:
BRISTOL – YMCA The Bristol Wing
9 Bridewell Street
Bristol
BS1 2QD
Reception: 0117 428 6199
Contact: [email protected]
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Please note: When dropping off items at Bristol YMCA, please ring the reception buzzer located on the wall and the reception team will greet you to collect your donation
xxx
xxx
ESSEX – YMCA Essex
Victoria Road,
Chelmsford, CM1 1NZ
T: 01245 355677
Open 8am-4pm Monday-Friday
xxx
SOUTHAMPTON – YMCA Southampton
8 Cranbury Place, Southampton, SO14 0LG
Phone: 02380221202
Open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
xxx
TEES VALLEY – YMCA Tees Valley
Middleton Court
Middleton Street
Darlington, DL1 1TU
Tel: 01325 462452
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
xxxx
NORTH YORKSHIRE – YMCA Yorkshire Coast
St. Thomas Street,
Scarborough,
North Yorkshire, YO11 1DY
T General Enquiries – 01723 374227
Open 9am-8pm Monday-Friday and 9am-5pm Saturday
xxx
LEICESTERSHIRE – YMCA Leicestershire
7 East Street,
Leicester, LE16EY
Reception: 0116 255 6507
Open 7 days a week, 8am-10pm
XXX
xxx
