CLARIFICATION: Refugees face ‘a dire winter’

SINCE the publication of this item, the Manager of the Oxfam Bookshop has clarified the details of the wrapping service. Shop volunteers will wrap items purchased in the shop, using the customer’s Gift Wrap if they so choose and bring it with them, otherwise they can sell customers a roll of the shop’s own wrapping paper.

“If the customer does not wish to buy a full roll,” says Dick Jennens, ” we can use ours but we would encourage them to empty their pockets and purses into the donations tin.”

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SINCE  the launch of the Philippines appeal, over 100 local people have made the journey into the Oxfam Bookshop in Thame and donated generously to this appeal. But as the Manager, Dick Jennens says: “The bad news is still happening!

A Syrian child refugee struggling to keep warm (Courtsey of UNHCR)

While we in Thame are looking forward to beginning the Christmas festivities on Friday with our fun, Dickensian Christmas, Oxfam has launched its Syria Christmas Appeal, “Twelve Days of Giving” with the aim of raising £1 million.

Dick explains: “With winter approaching the plight of the Syria refugees is bleak. The children face a dire Christmas this winter. So far Oxfam have helped 250,000 people but we plan to help 650,000 refugees in Syria, Jordan and Lebanon over the winter season.

“The volunteers of the Oxfam bookshop in Thame have set a target of raising £1,500 during the twelve days of this appeal. The volunteers are planning to hold a ‘Have Your Purchases Gift-wrapped for Christmas’ on Tuesday, December 17,  in exchange for a donation to this appeal. They provide the paper and ribbon is necessary.

“Please help and donate to the Oxfam Christmas Appeal.”

The Oxfam Book Shop is in Cornmarket, Thame.