World champion boxer gets hands-on to help those fleeing conflict
World champion boxer gets hands-on to help those fleeing conflict

Amir Khan Foundation and Penny Appeal deliver special aid convoy from UK to refugees in Greece

IMG_7107 (300x450)A special Amir Khan Foundation and Penny Appeal aid convoy reached Greece earlier this week, where the 28-year-old boxer and teams from both charities handed out thousands of donated items to desperate refugees.

Two-time World Champion boxer, Amir Khan, hand delivered aid in the Greek capital Athens and on the island of Lesbos, on the weekend beginning 22nd September, where thousands of conflict-escaping refugees are arriving every day. 

Amir joined Penny Appeal in handing out urgently needed food and water and spoke with refugees about their perilous journeys so far, and what help they need going forward.

Khan said: “The trip was a real emotional rollercoaster. We were so happy to have helped the people we could, but deeply saddened by the number of refugees we couldn’t help.

“The donated items for the aid convoy are making a massive difference to those refugees who are arriving on the shores of Greece with nothing more than the clothes they are wearing.”

IMG_7603 (300x450)The convoy of around 23 tonnes was loaded with thousands of items, including clothes, hygiene products, sleeping bags, food and water, which had been donated by the generous UK public in just four days. The vehicles left from Amir’s Bolton gym on Tuesday (16th) morning for a gruelling 2,500 mile trip across Europe.

Khalil Benkhalil, a volunteer driver, said: “As we drove further into Europe we saw more and more refugees and were struck by the harsh reality they face in an effort to find a safe place to call home.

“For every item we handed out, we received so much gratitude, which just shows what these things mean to the refugees we helped.”

Wasim Akhtar, Director at Penny Appeal, added: “Having witnessed at first-hand the tens of thousands of men, women and children – all in urgent need – we know this is a growing crisis that the world needs to respond to.

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“Penny Appeal is still working on the ground and is committed to helping as many displaced refugees as we can. People in the UK can still show their support by donating towards lifeline kits, which contain essential food, shelter and hygiene items and will be distributed direct to refugees in places like Athens and Lesbos by Penny Appeal teams.”

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