"You would prefer it if we were babies", said one of the young boys to me when I asked how old they all were.
I responded "well we all love cuddling a baby, but do not think you are too old for a cuddle", grabbing one and cuddling him. It sent his mates into screams of laughter. Their ages by the way are between 15 and 17, no one looks older.
The 30 young men looked tired and confused this morning after arriving at Realville at 3 in the morning.
They awoke to see a mass of officialdom. Loads of gendarmes, so many that when I arrived I asked if the gendarmerie was located next door to the centre.
A group of them laughed and explained that as well as the young people the Prefect Pierre Besnard was there and officials from the UK.
The youngsters gradually appeared from their rooms looking tired and confused
I was delighted that three of our guys from the first intake at St. Antonin were there to help translate.
I started talking to a little group which gradually became a bigger group as the guys realised I was speaking English and they understood me.
Along with Misbah doing the odd bit of translating we established all of the youngsters without exception wanted to go to the UK where they had family.
It was a chilly morning, the first chilly one for weeks and I noticed all had no socks and many were in flip flops.
I reassured them they had nothing to worry about and they would be well cared for. What did they need I asked?
The tentative replies, trainers, socks, underpants, warm jackets, T shirts and so I started listing names and their needs.
Quite a few said " games" Two had discovered " Scrabble " and some asked if we could get more boards, that would be good. Others wondered how they would amuse themselves and wondered about gym equipment.
As we were talking the Prefect appeared and came and talked to the boys. He realised they do not speak French but English and so he talked to them in this language. He asked them if they found everything was OK and one replied that he was cold in the room as the heating did not work. The Prefect flashed me a smile with the same thought as myself... what was the heating like in a tent in Calais? But good on him,that lad for being brave enough to say that. The Prefect said it would be sorted.
The Prefect had a friendly word with me realising I was a Brit and asked about " Brexit" You can imagine what I said.
He had a joke saying if I had any influence with the government in the UK could I remind them these youngsters had the right to go to the UK as they had family there. He did qualify it with of course after the checks confirmed the validity of each claim.
We are so lucky in Tarn and Garonne having this intelligent guy with a sense of humour and some humanity.
Now down to the nitty gritty we have 30 young men needing socks, underpants, warm hoodies.
trainers ranging from sizes 40, 41, 42 to the odd ones at 43
Jeans, waist size mainly 30 to 32, none of them are tall like the Sudanese, these are mainly Afghan by the way.
Moosa, Jawid, Harar, Homayun, Janver, Ali, Muhammad, Hossain, are just some of the young people who hope we can help them out.
I am going to borrow a loan from "the bank of Malcolm"and go and buy socks and underpants for them for tomorrow.
I really hope you will all help me to help them, they need us.
I wondered about sponsoring a youngster for 100 euros which would buy them a complete
outfit.Then you trying to raise money to cover amongst your friends.Anyway any donation any clothes or trainers that fit the description gratefully received.
Thank you to all the French benevolves who were there helping and Laura Havard for spending the day with the youngsters.
