Riders for Refugees: the Annecy association that warms the hearts of refugees in the middle of winter
Through Samilei Hoarau
Published on
While autumn and the freshness of its temperatures have indeed arrived, it is the moment when the scarves, hats and coats come out of the cupboards to warm hearts and bodies.
But some of these warm clothes are no longer used and do not leave the wardrobes. So since 2014, the association high Savoyard Jumpers for refugees to organise collections across France and Europe in order to bring a little warmth to people who are not equipped for winter.
They collect unsold items and collect clothes that we no longer put on
Riders for Refugees, it is at the beginning of the story of a British editor for a snowboard magazine, Danny burrows. During a visit to the Calais jungle in 2014, one thing jumped out at him: the refugees were not not equipped with warm clothes, while in the industry of outside (outdoor sports) there’s too much.
The association was born a short time later, in order to connect these two universes. To do this, on one side Riders for Refugees collects the clothes unsold or unsaleable from companies or professional athletes who often receive it, and from another, it organizes collection from individuals who want to get rid of what they no longer use.
Since 2016, the association is led by David Malacrida, in Annecy (Haute-Savoie). He who initially only wanted to create a collection point in his town, ended up coordinating all those in the Aune Rhône-Alpes region, then those throughout France.
Haute-Savoie among the departments that give the most each year
After having already welcomed several refugees at his home, and informed some basics of Arabic to communicate with them, this 32-year-old photographer and director decided to continue “to cultivate his karma” through Riders for Refugees.
And the idea of making Annecy the new headquarters this initiative was somewhat imposed on this mountain lover. “We are in a very mountainous department and region,” explains David Malacrida to News Haute-Savoie. So logically on a lot of winter sports practitioners and of brands of adapted clothing.”
So logically, at the time of collections, the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region recovers five to six times more warm clothes than in the Paca region for example. And Haute-Savoie is at the top of the departments which give the most, “it is our best breeding ground“, Says the president of the association.
In his eyes, it is also linked to the environment of the outside very present in the department.
“In the outdoor world, we are a community of people used to sharing, doing events, and adept at resourcefulness. These skills are useful in charity, where none of us come from at the base. And above all, we do not accept to remain passive. We need to be in the action. “
12,000 warm clothes collected in 2020
Result of these mobilizations: each year, the number of warm clothes collected in France from individuals is increasing: 8,000 in 2018, 10,000 in 2019 and 12,000 in 2020.
And the association intends to continue on this path: this year, it can count on 75 collection points in the country, but also in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.
Until October 31 to donate, then sorting in November
You have until October 31 2021 to get to one of the different collection points across France, many of which are in Haute-Savoie, to drop off warm clothes that you no longer need.
Then in November, a big sort of all the donations will be made in Annecy by the volunteers, before sending the boxes of clothes or shoes to the associations present on the ground, which welcome and welcome the refugees on a daily basis. Regarding the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes region, the clothes collected will go to Paris, Calais (Pas-de-Calais) and Briancon (High mountains).
But David specifies: if the association is indeed called Riders for Refugees, this does not mean that they will be the only ones to benefit from these clothes. “The refugees are the ones who need it most. But when we help, we help all the people who need it, without discrimination. “
As for donations, he insists on relieving guilt at all costs: “Do what seems right to you. Give only if you want to, as much as you can, and if you are helping others to do good. “
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