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Join the search for the
original recipients of post War CARE packages in Liverpool
THE search is on for families in
Liverpool who received CARE packages at the end of WWII to come forward and tell
their stories.
Did you know that tens of thousands of families in Liverpool received CARE
packages after the end of World War 2; and that the aid organisation CARE
International is looking for the families who received them?
These packages of food and basic supplies were sent to Liverpool from the USA by
the charity CARE. CARE is now a major international aid organisation, but this
is 1 case where charity really did begin at home.
It may be hard to imagine now, but it is within living memory that Europe was
close to starving, with hundreds of thousands of people forced from their homes
and struggling to survive. These CARE packages helped families across Europe to
recover and rebuild after the War. This year, as Britain celebrates 70 years
since the end of World War 2, the charity CARE is launching a search to find the
recipients of the original CARE packages sent by people in the USA to thousands
of British families in the aftermath of the war.
The Rev Samuel Boyes, a US Navy radio operator was on shore-leave in Liverpool
during the war. He befriended Harry and Hattie Roberts whilst he was there and
they continued to write to each other for 20 years. He told us 'I sent a
CARE package to those kind folks in Liverpool. I may have sent three and they
just couldn't get over it. Mrs Roberts wrote after Christmas that she had saved
all the baking ingredients and made a cake. She shared this cake with her
neighbours as a special treat. I'm sure it helped them in those dark days that
our British friends had to go through."
CARE UK's Danielle Spencer from Liverpool said:- "Many of those
recipients, though some only children at the time, will remember receiving their
CARE package. We want to find them and hear their story."
After the war ended, Europe was in ruins and food was in short supply. In the
first year after VE day, CARE distributed over 3 million CARE packages across
Europe; including to many thousands of British families, schools and hospitals.
Some 100 million CARE packages reached people in need during the next two
decades, first in Europe and later in Asia and other parts of the developing
world.
Danielle added:- "people are surprised to hear that British people were
among the first to receive international aid; and in a climate of scepticism
and aid fatigue it's good to remember that for this aid organisation, charity
did begin at home.
The images and quotes at the time from those who received CARE packages in
Britain are hugely heart warming. They simply could not believe that in their
hour of need, someone on the other side of the world, often a stranger, had
reached out to help them.
That story is true of the people helped by CARE; we're the bridge between
nations and people in need. This year, as we look back on and celebrate the
human story of survival and growth despite adversity, we need your help to find
the original CARE package recipients and keep their stories alive."
How can you help?
Help join the search – how to share your story
If you or your family received a CARE package, get in touch to tell us your
story:-
► Visit our website to discover more and learn how to share your story
► Or call:- 0800 320 2233
If you don't know anyone who received a CARE package you can still help. Pass on
the messages on social media to uncover the CARE stories for future generations,
by visiting CARE International UK on Facebook or go onto Twitter. |
