Your favourite O’Reilly duo will be taking on a big challenge this May, hopping in the saddle to cycle from Athens to Italy. With two broken knees, shoddy map-reading abilities at best, and an aversion to cycling up hills, you may be wondering why we have chosen to do so.
Here’s why: Refugees and asylum seekers in Greece are facing a crisis. They came from Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, Palestine, and many other countries, all fleeing war and persecution and all seeking safety in Europe.
For the past year I have been working with Lighthouse Relief (LHR), a grassroots NGO, which supports displaced families experiencing homelessness in Athens and children growing up in Ritsona Camp, one of the largest in Greece. Being here you can see clearly the huge need for even the most basic items that many of us take for granted, from period-pads to nappies, to basic food supplies.
Every day, single mothers come to us asking for help finding accommodation so their children don't have to sleep outside. Cut off from support networks, navigating a new country and language, and oftentimes working through past traumas, these are some of the most vulnerable people. Last month we opened the safe housing for single mothers project, and your donation will help to support it - providing single mothers and their children with a safe apartment, access to food and hygiene items, support to enrol their kids in school and employment training to help them get back on their feet.
Any donation big or small is really appreciated!
