The journey

I set two alarms on two different phone apps, one for 04:20 and one for 04:30 (it's that recurring no-mans-hour, again!) as I was paranoid that I wouldn't wake up and would miss the convoy!!

I pulled away from home a little later than I had anticipated and made my way - at 60mph all the way! - over to West Wycombe. I arrived about 10 minutes later than arranged and there was NO TRANSIT - total panic! Was I too late??? Did they have to go without me because I they would miss the Eurotunnel crossing?? I suddenly realised that there was another car in the carpark and I spotted Gayle in the driving seat, a familiar face - YAY! - and I relaxed a little. We stood in the carpark and were joined by Atia and Fouzia and then the transit pulled in - phew!!

We bundled everything into the cab of the van, re-jigged some bags of cakes and goodies which had been provided by kind donators for us to take over and share with the other volunteers and then we set off.

As we pulled out of the carpark Ann received a call from one of the other transit drivers. He had broken down on the M40 and was waiting for the AA! On that van was a  load of food bags, tents and sleeping bags so we were really hoped he could get back on the road again for the journey to Calais ASAP.

The sun began to rise and it was obvious that it was going to be a beautiful day, which we were very thankful about as wet weather in the jungle would just compound the terrible conditions for the inhabitants as well as the volunteers. As it turned out the weather the whole time we were there was on our side.

We arrived at Folkestone with a few minutes to spare, two other vehicles in our group were there already and we were all able to grab a quick hot drink before heading off to the train.

We boarded the train, at least three of our convoy were on this one and a couple of our other vehicles were on the next train.

40 quick minutes later we were driving in France. The sun was shining and we were more than ready for the weekend ahead.

The others in the convoy were hoping that Ann and myself could pull up somewhere once off the train so that we could all follow each other to the warehouse. We were relieved when we found a petrol station a couple of hundred yards away from the Eurotunnel to wait for everyone and Gayle and Louisa, Ruth and Lee arrived soon after us. Atia and Fouzia arrived (in an unexpected way, which was one of many funny moments on this journey!!) and we were a proper convoy!!

Having established that the other vehicles were on the next train our small convoy drove off to find the warehouse. After lots of driving in circles on a trading estate, we finally found it!!

We were greeted by John Sloan, an amazing guy who arrived for just a weeks visit a month ago and has pledged to stay until the beginning of December - this place draws you in and you just don't want to leave (so be warned!!).

Sarah is another driving force in the warehouse and after a quick health & safety brief we had all signed forms which provided us with insurance in the warehouse and were all set the task of sorting out a corner of the warehouse containing blankets and bedding, boxing them and marking up ready to be taken to the camp for distribution at some point.

A short while after we got there Tony and Vince arrived with his van full of building materials and tools eager to get going on his mission to build solid, waterproof, warm shelters for as many people as they can next week. Finally Refi and the other WISE guys arrived and our team of 18 was complete.

The warehouse can be likened to a well-oiled machine with a few teeth missing in the cogs!  The missing teeth in the cogs being the daily influx of new, inexperienced volunteers and constant flow of donations arriving causing 'blips' in the smooth flow of the amazing work the volunteers are carrying out tirelessly 7 days a week in the unit. 

Every time new volunteers arrive (many unannounced) they have to be briefed and set to work, which understandably mildly interrupts the work in the warehouse. Volunteering though is vital so everyone rides the 'blips' and just carries on the relentless work. Its a constant hive of activity.

Our lorry was due at midday so we all got on with the blanket sorting and boxing while we waited.

Suddenly a long-term warehouse volunteer came up to me and calmly, but with an urgency in her eyes and voice, announced that a family of 5; mother, father, babe in arms and two toddlers, had just walked into the camp with no shoes and no belongings (I think they had traveled from Sudan). Essentials were urgently needed for them all, especially shoes, blankets and clothing. In a bit of a daze from the reality slap I grabbed a selection of blankets from the box I was filling plus a 'Scooby Do' kids sleeping bag and put them with the small pile of other donations some volunteers had gathered together for the family.

The vision of this poor family arriving with nothing but the clothes on their backs, shoe-less and carrying 3 children between them was stuck in my head. We are a family of 5, I have three children, the thought of being in such a desperate situation that forces us to leave all that we have and love and flee a country we may never be able to call home again and walk hundreds and hundreds of miles to find safety for our family, is just unimaginable. 

Welcome to The Jungle!