Mother and baby charity launch Syria appeal

Children in the refugee camp in Bekka Valley. Picture JoJo Maman Bebe

The UK’s leading independent mother and baby brand will collect winter shoes & boots to donate to children in need in Lebanon. Collections will be shipped directly to three partner charities whose work was witnessed on the ground last week.

JoJo Founder and MD, Laura Tenison MBE, travelled through Lebanon and along the Syrian border to deliver packs of children’s clothes collected earlier this year.

Whilst there she talked to locals and refugees asking what help would make the most difference. She found that they are in desperate need of essential basics but with the cold weather approaching warm shoes and boots were one of the most pressing needs.

Laura Tenison at the orphanage. Picture: JoJo Mamam Bebe

“Travelling through numerous army road blocks to the refugee camps along the Syrian border was an eye opening experience. There are few formal camps and refugees appear to be living in every possible place. By working with local charities and organising a distribution network we can ensure our donations get to those in need without delay.”

JoJo Maman Bébé will collect good quality, nearly new baby and children’s shoes, wellies and boots up to size 12. For speed of delivery to the refugees, customers are asked to pack each pair in a clear plastic bag, labelled with the size and deliver to one of JoJo’s 70 boutiques across the UK and Ireland between Friday 2nd and Sunday 18th October.

The shoes will be shipped to Syria with a large consignment of From a Mother to Another, emergency winter, clothing packs collected earlier this year.

JoJo will not be accepting clothing donations until next year when the 2016 From a Mother to Another recycling and charity initiative will be held in the run up to Mother’s Day. Customers are requested to keep putting aside their good quality hand me downs until the collection takes place.

Details may be found on JoJo’s community website.