Joanne Davenport’s Calais Jungle mission has ‘changed her forever’

Goods for families in the Calais Jungle

Nurse Joanne Davenport has said her visit to the Calais ‘Jungle’ migrant camp has “changed her forever”.

She said: “The last five weeks have changed me forever. Thankfully, I have stumbled upon a huge network of thousands of people helping people.

“Lizzie Owen, who drove the other vehicle to Calais with us, cooked 100 hot meals in her kitchen and distributed them to homeless people in Manchester the weekend before last.

“It has been a very humbling and emotional time for all involved but it has only made us more determined to carry on helping people both locally and globally.”

Joanne decided to drive to the Calais ‘Jungle’ with donations, but received so many that she was accompanied by other volunteers.

They all landed in Calais at 2:50pm after a 5:30am start.

Due to ferry delays they were unable to visit the camp, but met with help4refugeechildren volunteer, Daniela Garcia in Calais town centre.

From there, they purchased fresh fruit and vegetables and gas so the families in the Calais Jungle could cook and keep warm at night.

The food was sorted into individual bags to donate directly to each family.

Remaining donations were taken to the Calais warehouse run by L’auberge des Migrants (Help Refugees).

Donations were also received from Tesco Rochdale, which donated £20 pounds worth of food to the cause, and St Andrew's Primary School in Dearnley donated directly to the ‘Food for Calais refugees’ charity.