Crisis Response: A Day at Dereham Aid Centre!

On October 5th, the Dereham Aid Centre held its open day, showcasing its vital work as a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. Established in 2022 in response to the urgent need for support following the crisis in Ukraine, the initiative began with a small donation trolley in Morrisons collecting items for those in need. 

The Centre’s support is as diverse as the individuals it assists. From the homeless to Ukrainian families fleeing conflict and those facing loneliness, poverty, and abuse, the Centre’s doors are open to all. Its global reach extends to natural disaster relief and frontline aid, but its heart is in the local community, providing a welcoming environment and essential services to those in need.

The Rapid Relief Team’s collaboration with the Dereham Aid Centre was a powerful demonstration of unity. By providing over 250 burger meals on the Centre’s Open Day, RRT not only filled stomachs but also fostered conversations and compassion, highlighting the importance of the Centre’s work.

RRT shares a joint mission with the Dereham Aid Centre through its Operation 322 initiative, which aims to deliver emergency food and personal care supplies to those displaced by conflict. Volunteers from RRT in the UK, Germany, France, and Sweden are coming together to provide essential aid to Ukrainian refugees.

With significant demand for food and personal care products, RRT is loading trucks with food boxes filled with non-perishable items, care kits containing personal care products, baby care kits with formula and diapers, and bottled water and blankets.

Initially aiming to raise £250,000, RRT exceeded this target within just 20 hours of launching the campaign, enabling the team to scale up operations and reach more needy Ukrainians. Thanks to the generous support from people worldwide, RRT has raised over £1 million and will continue to deliver truckloads of aid to Ukrainian refugees for the foreseeable future.