PAID FOR POST
Hermes’ transport connections are being used to help displaced families and refugees in Syria and Iraq, writes head of marketing Joanne Morley.
In 2015, the amount donated to charity by adults in the UK exceeded a whopping £9.6 billion. With a fantastic 67% of people having given to charity in the past 12 months, I think it is safe to say we are a society of fundraisers. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t see a friend or colleague attempting to get donations by running a half marathon, skydiving or taking part in a gruelling obstacle course.
At Hermes, we are in a very privileged position. Having invested heavily in creating an extensive and efficient transport network, we are able to help charities in a way other companies aren’t. Last year we spoke to Samara Levy, founder of Samara’s Aid Appeal, about helping her transport clothes and medical supplies across the UK for shipment to displaced families and refugees in Syria and Iraq. Since then, I am proud to say, we have become the charity’s logistics partner for 2016.
The appeal has provided 11 ambulances, nearly 3,000 first aid kits and 1,300 care packages for expectant mothers and babies, as well as clothing more than 120,000 people
Since being launched two years ago, Samara’s Aid Appeal has sent a total of 46 articulated lorries and containers carrying clothes, shoes, bedding, toiletries and essential medical equipment to war-torn countries in the Middle East. Donated items, which are dropped off during appeals at a variety of collection points around the country, are collected by Hermes before being transported to a warehouse in Worthing, where they are loaded onto lorries and containers for onward distribution.
Big contribution
In total, the appeal has now provided 11 ambulances, nearly 3,000 first aid kits and 1,300 care packages for expectant mothers and babies, as well as clothing more than 120,000 people. Meanwhile, the charity continues to fund a number of emergency hospitals across the region.
When I spoke to Samara a couple of weeks ago, she said: “The amount of work Hermes has put into helping this project is incredible and I thank the team for their ongoing support. We aim to save lives and maintain the dignity of children and families across Iraq and Syria. Hermes has ensured that a greater number of people have been able to contribute to the appeal.”
So far, as logistics partner of the appeal we have helped to transport more than 5,000 boxes of clothes and medical supplies in the UK for shipment to the Middle East. I am proud of the fact that we are using our transport connections for more ways than just delivering parcels, and we will strive to continue in the Great British tradition of charitable giving in the future.
- Joanne Morley is head of marketing at Hermes
No comments yet