How Mains Tendues 82 was formed
These lads did not know it but then again neither did we. This was the start leading us towards our association Mains Tendues.
Malc and I started gathering clothes, shoes, tents and bedding and sending up lorries and vans to Calais. Our house was packed with stuff as it neared the time for it to go. A couple Laura and Sid even took things up and helped to build chalets.
Then we heard as the Calais Camp was being disbanded we had
17 refugees arriving in St. Antonin at a site called Reoboth.
Sarah Brown and I joined a group of mainly French volunteers and started making up beds and packs of toiletries, bedside lamps and plugs in each bedroom for phones. I remember how all the group were nervous but so keen to help.
We had people who could teach French, and English speakers were particularly useful as the common language was English.
Well they arrived and for 4 months what fun we had, finding them clothes, shoes, bikes to get around, gym equipment, teaching them about life in France and showing them the area. . As I already had a blog, Tag on line I could summon up help and funds. Malc who in a previous life had been a tax inspector and Sarah Brown who had been a lawyer, between us all we monitored funds and kept records, as at this stage we had no association to funnel the cash through.
Our first young men were dispersed through out France, at this point whilst they waited for asylum. As we had a gite we often had a houseful of lads as those who could, came back for weekends.
Then we heard another larger group were coming and would be housed at Verfeil.
The three of us decided we needed an association to run the money through and we had started by my constant posts and badgering to get not just money but articles needed.
That was basically how and why Mains Tendues 82 was formed.
When we started selling in the old mairie in Varen, the pace of the association went up a step. We got more volunteers we got plenty to sell and we started talking about not just helping refugees but anyone in need.
With myself, Terence Harker, Sarah Brown,Jill Williamson, we make up the bureau and have the most brilliant committee members French, Dutch and English.
We have achieved a lot for others in the area, including other
associations that help people and animals.
My heart will always be with my lads who brought so much joy to our lives, they were grateful we helped them, but we were grateful for what they brought to us.
In conclusion
Mains Tendues 82 , what a team.
May we grow from strength to strength.
One of our next projects will be helping young families in the camps In Greece.
Look at the photos of the young men and smile that for the most part their lives are safe,they have jobs, some partners, one a beautiful baby girl, and they can look forward without fear.
