Guardian article
Interesting story in the Guardian earlier this week, all about the Calais refugee camp and bicycles. Well known cyclist Julian Sayarer joined 150 other cyclists riding from London to Calais simply to hand over their bicycles to refugees in the aptly named “Jungle” which has become the unofficial refugee camp.
This is about ordinary, everyday people playing their part in making a difference to the plight of the refugees and migrants who seem to be stuck at Calais. It’s not suggested the refugees will swap furtive rides on trucks for furtive bicycle rides but it should make their life in France a little easier. It hopefully gives a message that there is considerable sympathy for so many folk who are in desperate situations, often through no fault of their own. The bicycles are a useful means of transport and a gesture of solidarity, perhaps? The trip from the Jungle to Calais is about 5 miles and one that needs to be taken frequently: everything from food, water and other basics need transporting, although the article does explain water is now provided in the Jungle. Having bicycles will certainly make this a whole lot easier for those making these regular trips.
It seems the experience for Sayarer included the opportunity to talk with the refugees and learn a little more of their plight. Some had fled Afghanistan of fear of being forcibly enlisted in the Taliban or through simply being from the wrong ethnic group in the Sudan. It’s hard to imagine what life is really like for refugees or migrants. Having said that, we as a family took part a few years ago in a refugee simulation organised by Crossroads (a Hong Kong based humanitarian organisation. It goes to show how perilous life is, millions exist on about 1 or 2 dollars each day. Not just perilous, but vulnerable to abuse, fear and slavery for those in desperate situations.
Throughout the unfolding of the wider refugee crisis across the middle east and into Europe, I have recently been impressed by the compassion expressed by so many people and the country as a whole. Whether this is led by Europe and the UK is simply taking its share, it is hard to know for sure what the long term situation will be like. Advice on the radio is for individuals to be guided by the local councils which has a sense of collective wisdom about it.
Speaking of the radio, I did hear Farage from UKIP try to find a snag or something to make the whole response completely ill founded. He suggested the whole refugee exodus could involve terrorists travelling with other migrants incognito. I hadn’t thought of that, it maybe is completely true but that is no reason why some compassion and neighbourly love cannot be extended. Typical UKIP, out to take a swipe at anything decent and involving Europe.
I am hugely impressed by individuals who step out to do their bit in this way. There are so many humanitarian needs around the World, probably with only a fraction being reported here in the UK. I am therefore impressed in knowing cyclists use cycles as a way of reaching out, each simply playing their bit for little or no rewards. Rewards are simply the knowledge that you have played a small part in a larger humanitarian effort.
Julian Sayarer – if you ever read this, please leave me a comment. You’re actions are awesome and cyclists everywhere should admire you and the others taking part in the mass give-away.
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