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UNI Global Union's UK affiliate the CWU is leading a six vehicle convoy to Turkey and Hungary to deliver vital aid to refugees.

Two 15 tonne trucks provided by the Royal Mail are already on their way to Turkey to deliver winter clothing and other essentials to trade unions for distribution to refugees. Four more vehicles will depart for Hungary next week.

The appeal, led by the CWU’s humanitarian aid department the CWUHA, has mushroomed since it received the support of fellow UK trade unions and UNI affiliates Unite, Unison and the GMB.

"This has gone from a small project to an international relief effort," said CWUHA Chair Carl Webb. "What has been most heart-warming has been the response from the public - they have given amazingly generous donations."

UN Global Union is supporting the convoy alongside the ITUC, ETUC, Bury Council and Manchester City Council.

In total, twelve people will join the convoy in the UK in six vehicles, five provided by Royal Mail and one from BT. A further truck, filled with donations from Bulgaria organised by national trade union centre CITUB, will join the convoy from Sofia.

"Royal Mail and BT have been fantastic with the support they have offered," said Webb who is also grateful to fellow UNI affiliate CWU Ireland for toiletries and other supplies they provided.

The trucks will be met by local trade unionists en route to Istanbul in Brussels, Bonn, Zagreb and Sofia, to help highlight the work unions are doing in their own countries and communities.

ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow said, “In the best tradition of union solidarity, trade unions across Europe are at the forefront of community and political action to ensure that the hundreds of thousands of refugees are welcomed and integrated into society and have the right to decent work.  This convoy will help bring that work to the forefront as it passes through countries which are themselves receiving thousands upon thousands of refugees.”

If you would like to get involved by making a donation visit CWUHA.