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A six vehicle CWUHA convoy has set off for Turkey and Hungary with aid for refugees.
Two vehicles left for Turkey last Friday, with the other four having set off to Hungary yesterday (Monday 2nd November).
 The appeal for aid mushroomed, with CWU branches being joined by fellow trade unionists from Unite, Unison and the GMB in providing all sorts of provisions.
There has also been support from Bury Council and Manchester City Council as well as the ITUC, ETUC and Uni Global.
Prior to the North West Regional Labour Party meeting held in Blackpool over the weekend, delegates were asked to bring toothpaste and toothbrushes to donate to the convoys.
CWUHA chair Carl Webb has texted Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson reminding them to bring their spare tooth brushes and toothpaste.
Twelve people in six vehicles, five provided by Royal Mail and one from BT are on their way to Turkey and Hungary.
 Carl said:
"Royal Mail and BT have been fantastic with the support they have offered."
He added that he is also grateful to CWU Ireland for toiletries and other supplies they provided.
Commenting further he said:
"This has gone from a small project to an international relief effort," said Carl. "What has been most heart-warming has been the response from the public - they have given amazingly generous donations."
CWUHA has forged a valuable relationship with a Scottish group called Massive Outpouring of Love, which got together in the Dumfries and Galloway area to provide support. "They have given us 300 boxes of aid, filling a whole vehicle," said Carl.
Another initiative involved an A level student, Kai Taylor, who became aware of the refugee crisis as a result of some work experience he was doing in the office of Labour MP Marie Rimmer.
"I'd been watching the images on TV so I decided to do something about it. I got together with a few friends on Facebook and we started looking at the costs of sending small amounts of aid. However the project soon escalated and we became swamped," said Kai.
Marie then got in touch with the CWUHA to pick up and deliver the aid.
CWU Greater Merseyside and South West Lancs branch officer Angela Teeling, based at BT's St Helens Telephone Exchange, is taking the aid to Hungary.
If you would like to get involved by making a donation visit the CWUHA website
Source: CWUHA
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