WJR in Manchester

Jews from across Manchester have taken part in the first World Jewish Relief (WJR) Packathon in the region which saw 50 volunteers box up 180 packages of humanitarian aid to be sent to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

According to WJR, around 3,600 items of new and nearly new goods were donated and boxed by the volunteers who were aged between 5 and 75 at the Maccabi Centre.

Among the items being supplied are winter clothing, children's toys and sanitary products.

"The humanitarian aid sent by WJR gives immediate help to many thousands of people. Often these people do not have coats or shoes for the winter," commented WJR's Rosalind Bluestone. "They have to make daily choices as to whether to buy medicines, or food.  If we are providing them with basic necessities, such as clothing for their children, it means that their meagre incomes stretch a little further. Each shipment is eagerly awaited by the supported communities."

Since the start of this year, WJR has sent 20 large trailers of aid to Jews in countries including Serbia, Moldova, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Hungary.