Charity convoy leaves Hull tomorrow

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Tomorrow (Friday) Alan Johnson MP will see off an aid convoy of postal and telecommunication trade union members who are sailing from Hull on a humanitarian aid mission to deliver essential items to some of Eastern Europe's poorest children.

Organised by the charity Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA), and supported by companies including Royal Mail, BT, An Post, Eircom and Simpson Millar solicitors, the September 2011 Mission to Bulgaria will haul wheelchairs, bespoke beds, cots, bedding, clothing, nappies, toiletries, medical equipment, toys and other sorely-needed supplies to some of the region's 20,000 orphaned children and disabled adults.

Travelling in vehicles loaned by BT and Royal Mail, and Irish post and telecom companies AnPost and Eircom, the CWUHA convoy will travel over 3,500 miles across Europe to deliver aid.

Carl Webb, secretary of the CWUHA charity, said: "We're looking forward to getting on the road and delivering this aid to the vulnerable children and disabled adults in parts of Bulgaria who face daily struggle and are in desperate need of help and supplies. CWUHA is a unique charity because we are generously supported by companies in the UK and Ireland meaning all funds donated go straight to buying aid."

CWUHA patron Alan Johnson MP, said: "I am proud to be associated with CWUHA and the tremendous work that these trade union members do for no reward but the sight of the smiling faces of the children they are helping. This is the trade union movement at its best which is not often reported on."

Tony Kearns, CWU senior deputy general secretary, said: "CWUHA is a fantastic example of how trade unions get involved in community and charity work well beyond the realms of workplace representation. We're very proud of the charity and the incredible fundraising efforts our members go to each year to help some of the most deprived children and adults in Europe and beyond. We wish the convoy great success."

Marie Gray Royal Mail Group External Relations Manager, North, said: "Royal Mail is extremely proud to be providing drivers, fuel and vehicles for the CWU's humanitarian aid mission. The convoy will take vital resources to some of Eastern Europe's poorest children and disabled adults. We are delighted to be able to help deliver the 'Mission to Bulgaria'."

The convoy will deliver to: two homes caring for nearly 200 children with physical and mental disabilities; two homes looking after over 100 3-7 year-olds, a children's hospital; and two orphanages that care for nearly 200 kids and a care home for adults.

CWUHA has over the last 16 years delivered around 500,000 tonnes of aid worth over £1 million to some of Europe's poorest countries.

Twenty volunteers are driving the ten vehicles of aid. They are:

AnPost staff: Declan O'Meara (Limerick), Stephen Perry (Portlaoise)

BT staff: Francis Banks (Torquay), Peter Sharrocks (Middlesbrough), Stephen Albon (Easington Village, Nr Peterlee), Steve Rowlands (Manchester), Craig Anderson (Greenock), Alex Pearson (retired - Timperley, Altrincham), John Strachan (Stirling)

CWU staff: Chris Bennett (London) and Steve Fishwick (Dorset)

EirCom staff: Rory Duggan (Dublin), Pat Broderick (Dublin)

Royal Mail staff: Chris Keggie (Edinburgh), Ted Stead (Rochdale), Richard Tribe (Torquay), Carl Webb (Blackpool) and Ian Young (Bolton, retired)

Simpson Millar staff: Linda Stewart and Amanda Davis (both from London)

For more information and to see how you can donate or get invoved please visit CWUHA. Follow their journey on Facebook - CWU HA Convoy Sept 2011 and on Twitter @cwuha for live updates.

[glenfiddich]

lord help those driving royal mail vehicles as there always seems to be one broken down at hull cdo

[Lounge Lizard]

First I've ever heard of 'charity Communication Workers Union Humanitarian Aid (CWUHA)'