Bid to help refugees from Afghanistan

A call has gone out for any unwanted clothes and necessities to help refugees fleeing Afghanistan.

And it’s being led locally by a Pinchbeck woman who has been helping others for years.

Heidi Hayman is already getting bags of clothes thrown into her garden after putting the call out on social media

That’s because she’s regularly helped charity efforts including sourcing materials to be made into scrubs for key workers during the pandemic and having similarly collected clothes and possessions for the homeless for several years.

Now she’s supporting Lincolnshire paramedics and LIVES as part of the campaign being launched by Care4Calais to provide items for refugees.

The early response just from those who know Heidi has been fantastic and she’s now sourcing a new drop-off point so anyone can donate items to the cause.

“I’ve had no end of people who are bringing stuff,” she said. “People are realising they’re over here right now and they’re in desperate need of basics such as clothes.

“I’ve had my neighbours emailing me saying people are throwing stuff into my garden.

“It’s wonderful to see the support and the community coming together for this group.

“I’m told there are two hotels full of refugees within spitting distance of where we are and they have virtually nothing so we need to get this moving quickly.

“I’ve noticed a lot of comments saying charity starts at home.

“There’s no discrimination here. If there’s someone who needs help, no matter who they are or where they’re from, we need to help them.

“If we can do something to help them then we should do that.”

The charity efforts are very much a family affair for Heidi who runs her own private care company Good Companions.

Husband Martin plays an active part in helping out, as do the pair’s six-year-old twin daughters Ava and Sophie.

“When we’ve done collections for the homeless before they’ve come with me and helped pick up things like sleeping bags as well as sorting through items to put in boxes for the them,” Heidi said.

“They love to get involved.”

As The Voice went to press, Heidi was in the process of setting up a public collection point at Stamp Storage in Pinchbeck.

The details such as COVID-19 safety protocols are still being ironed out but it’s due to be open for donations in the next few days.

“Steve and Jeff at Stamp Storage have supported every bit of charity work I’ve done,” Heidi said. “Whatever I’ve needed they’ve always helped me out and I can’t thank them enough for it.

“They’re not doing it for any other reason than to help others which is fantastic.”

If you would like to donate clothes or items you can contact Heidi on 07824 443785.