A humanitarian appeal that brought people, schools, suppliers and communities together to deliver urgent support to refugees in Greece.
When the Syrian refugee crisis unfolded in 2015, the humanitarian impact was felt across the world.
Families were being forced to leave their homes, making dangerous journeys in search of safety. We wanted to respond in a practical way.
Working with St Vincent de Paul, the team launched a large-scale humanitarian appeal to support people affected by the crisis.
Together with SVP, the Irish Embassy in Greece and humanitarian representatives on the ground, the Greek islands of Kos and Lesbos were identified as areas in urgent need of assistance.
There were donations of food, clothing and essential supplies ready to help. The challenge was getting those supplies to the people who needed them most.
Within three weeks, Specialist coordinated the collection, packing and transportation of four 40-foot containers filled with emergency supplies.
Those containers carried clothing, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, baby essentials, toiletries, food and drinking water.
Alongside the logistics operation, the appeal raised more than £50,000 for the SVP Syria Appeal.
Employees donated a day’s wages, which was matched by Specialist. Customers, suppliers, local businesses, schools and the wider community also played their part, donating funds, essential items and countless volunteer hours.
The aid was distributed by St Vincent de Paul volunteers working alongside humanitarian teams in Greece, helping vital supplies reach refugees arriving on the shores of Kos and Lesbos.
The impact of the appeal was recognised by St Vincent de Paul, who presented the Specialist team with a Special Recognition Award in acknowledgement of the initiative and the difference it made.
Although this was a one-off response to an unprecedented humanitarian emergency, it reflected something important about Specialist.
When people need help, action matters.
The SVDP Refugee Crisis Appeal remains a powerful example of what can happen when employees, schools, suppliers, customers and the wider community come together with compassion, urgency and purpose.