1st February 1957
GARMENTS FOR REFUGEES

Over 100 garments for Hungarian refugees, given by local residents, left Pontefract for Wakefield by lorry on Tuesday. Thirty bundles and sacks of used clothing had accumulated at the Pontefract Centre of the Women’s Voluntary Services since collection in November.

In December, a consignment was ready for dispatch to London, but the W.V.S. organisers found themselves without transport to take it there. Their efforts and quandary were mentioned in ‘The Express’ on December 7th, and immediately a Castleford firm of transport contractors, Dean Bros, of Rectory Street, offered that a new lorry should make its maiden journey to London with the clothing. But as refugees poured into London they were drafted to the provinces, and changes of plan were made. Then they began to arrive at Wakefield, and it was decided to send the clothing there. On arrival at Wakefield it was to be distributed immediately to refugees in hostels and homes in the area.

[ 1957 Index ]