Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Stupendous Response from Community to locals made homeless by Tottenham riot
Just after midday yesterday HoL member Maddy wrote a post asking how local people could give to people in Tottenham made homeless by Saturday's riot.
HoL's Liz Ixer picked up the question and took it to the Council. Hours later another HoL member reported that the Council had established a collection point for clothes and all et other things that people left with nothing would need to tide them over.
Twitter and the developing social media ecosystem ensured that the call was picked up by neighbouring areas.
By last night the first few items started arriving at the Council's Apex House Collection centre.
Prompted by questions on HoL, I called the centre to check what was most needed. Emergency Housing Officer, Mike Billings, told me, "Imagine that you and your family have been shut out of your house in just your underpants. That's what you'd need; everything". He went on to explain that clothes were coming in aplenty and. whilst more would be welcome, things like toiletries and toothbrushes were needed.
By this morning. local resident Andy Newman of the Gardens Residents' Association had set up the Community Gardens as a local point for people unable to travel to the collection centre. Shortly after, Budgens in Crouch End offered their premises as a collection point for Crouch End.
Then the stuff started coming in. I've just spoken with Andy on the phone and he told me that he's been moved close to tears a few times by people's generosity. "It's overwhelming", he told me. "I can't believe how people are responding. People re looking in their cupboards and obviously thinking really imaginatively about what these people in Tottenham will need".
Andy told me that as well as people bringing in things from their homes, some were turning up with bags of shopping form Sainsbury's. "I've just had a carry cot and one woman's tuned up - she just bought Sainsbury's!"
Andy was keen to point out that people need to keep giving.
More surprising perhaps is that it's not just local people who want to give. I can't count the number of questions I've been fielding on Twitter for people from as far away as West London and Newcastle who also want to send help.
More good news in on this score. Following my discussions with Cllr Alan Stanton this morning, Haringey Council have just set up the Tottenham Fund for people to give money.
Keep it up people. Perhaps, in the longer term, we can build more out of these terrible events than we've lost.
Tags for Forum Posts: 2011, london troubles, riot reactions, riots
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by JulieB on
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I'm finding this very moving, and heart warming when most of the rest of the news is so grim. Photos of hundreds of people waving brushes in the air as they clean up the mess and distruction really gives me hope for this city.
I love living in London but this kind of trouble does make me worry about the future for my children and if we're going to have to move away. Right off to get them from nursery which is shutting early.
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Permalink Reply by Stuart on
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Anyone have any details for when the Community Gardens is open for drop-offs?
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Permalink Reply by Andy Newman on
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We had a car load this evening to take over to the Leisure Centre at Philip Lane for the Burnt out Families Appeal.
Thanks to everyone who donated today truly brilliant amounts of stuff and really varied from Sarah who bought all new towels blankets sheets tooth brushes and tooth paste at Sainsbury's to Sonia's mens cloths and toys and book for the kids - really good stuff too. We even got a potty thanks Anja and a fantastic travel cot and pram from Sally.
Thanks everyone
Amber (my daughter) and I delivered the full car load at the Crisis Centre and Hugh from HOL was their to help us carry it into the collection area and take some snaps of the Crisis Centre for Harringay on Line.
Well done all.
We met some amazing people their - people from Hackney and a lady with a broken leg with a rucksack full of stuff to donate.We met some amazing people their - people from Hackney and a lady with a broken leg with a rucksack full of stuff to donate.
Top Tip: They were really grateful for the Sainsbury's bags for Life and IKEA bags for people to take stuff away with.
On my return home there were some more gifts by people so I will do another run tomorrow if you want to drop more stuff round to me or the Garden that's fine.
Will do another run tomorrow evening.
Apparently the collection area closes at 7pm if you are planning on going yourself.
I have posted this else where on HOL but in reply to your query Bushy:
Garden is open 9am to Dusk - i will - depending on how much we get tomorrow will take over at about 6pm again
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I've already packed two boxes, just haven't got a car to get them there. Could get a cab up if I missed you as I might be home past 6pm.
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Permalink Reply by David Schmitz on
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The items which are most needed are listed on the Council's website at http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/news_and_events/latest_news/centre...
As the days go by, it is best to check this page in order to be sure of contribution what is most needed at the time.
For the moment, though, just about everything is needed, namely
- Clothing, shoes and slippers
- Blankets
- Towels
- Toiletries
- Baby items
- Safe children's toys
- Non-perishable food
David Schmitz
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Harringay Ward
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