QUILT BID . . . Phyllis Kirkwood, of Quilts for Nepal, is promoting a new fundraising approach to help Nepalese people still recovering from April’s earthquake
Phyllis Kirkwood, from Quilts for Nepal, said: “The purpose of this initiative was always to get the quilts we made into the hands of people in Nepal, but we have had to change our plans on this.”
She added: “The frieght costs, airport tax and red tape mean that the charity concerned cannot afford to transport them, and, even if they did, the airports are currently choked with supplies and the quilts could end up stuck somewhere in an airport hangar.
“And all the time, there are still folks in Nepal who need basic shelters, clean water, hygiene kits, sanitation.”
The earthquake which hit Nepal in April killed more than 9000 people and left more than two million Nepalese people homeless.
And Phyllis notes that survivors are now in the middle of the monsoon season, and there are still families in remote mountainous areas who are only just being reached.
While it would cost £8 to send a large quilt to Nepal, £8 would provide a shelter for a whole family.
So Phyllis said: “A decision has been reached by the organisers to sell as many quilts as possible and give the money in direct aid to re-establish livelihoods.
“Some quilts might still get there but the need is an immediate one and our response needs to match that need.”
St Andrew’s Church in Annan will be open on Saturday from 10 am until 12 noon so that people can view the beautiful displays of quilts and also purchase a quilt if they wish.
Thanks are expressed by organisers to the generosity of people in the church, local community groups and quilting groups.
Phyllis said: “We know that people in Nepal will benefit from all our efforts.”
