BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK

Subject: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: skarpi
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 06:44 PM

hallo all , a man named Heimir Karlsson who run a radio show here
in Iceland , started this collection after beeing told about many thousand of older people die in every winter in UK of cold , so he
desided to get a start of this collection , collect woolin blankets
and clothes for them and here we go ..........   

Next Thursday a contaner will arrive to UK from Iceland , in that container are blankets and clothes for older people of UK , we are told that many thousand older people die of cold every winter , so we all Icelander s collected alot of woolin clothes and blankets for them . This will be broadcast at BBC in some Morning show ??? I dont know more details .

I hope that many people can use those clothes and blankets and
they get warm , as our warm hearts are glad to be able to help them
to get through this winter .

I one of many helped out and gave to this collection of clothes,
and are happy to do so .


Stay warm and enjoy .
amd I know I am saying this from all of us ,

Warm Greetings from the Icelandic Nation you all

All the best Skarpi .

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 06:47 PM

You've got to be kidding.....

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 06:49 PM

That is lovely Skarpi. Thanks.
I think other countries are more needy than us, but when times are so hard for you it is deeply moving that you good people are still thinking of others.
keith.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 06:55 PM

Skarpi, that is admirable, esp. knowing the kinds of troubles your country is having right now. Reaching out to help others when one's own situation is stressful can be really incredibly heartwarming. Goodonya Icelanders!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: bubblyrat
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 07:08 PM

Thankyou,Skarpi ! It is very warming just to know that you and your fellow Icelanders care enough about us to do such a kind thing.I am deeply moved by you and your countrymens' concern.Even though I am one of the "Old People" (over 60 ),I am still young enough to prefer Sally Magnusson to keep me warm, but I realise that this is probably not possible, so a nice oiled-wool fisherman's pullover (multi-coloured of course) would be most welcome !

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 08:21 PM

It is really sad seeing the shows about the elderly Jews in the Ukraine (I think) who have apparently some miserably cold situations...mg

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: SINSULL
Date: 27 Jan 09 - 08:34 PM

Very nice, skarpi. In the worst of situations, your fellow countrymen are willing to share. Very nice.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 02:32 AM

well Sorcha , no I am kiddin , are you ?

more countrys need this more ?
well this time it was UK , next time may some other .

all the best Skarpi P.S watch BBC morning show on thursday morning

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 03:43 AM

So many collection agencies exist now with programmes to send clothing to war torn areas of Africa and eastern Europe that we tend to forget our own 'hidden' refugees from society.

Frankly I find this news hard to believe but if all Icelanders are as kind hearted and generous as the two I've met, despite all that life and the banks have hurled at them in the last year or so, then I'm truly humbled and will be sorting out my own cupboards just as soon as I can.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:30 AM

"I am one of the "Old People" (over 60 ),"

I'm only 52 but I'm qualified to use the local 'Warm' centre! I might just avail myself of some of the free coach trips the council are organising too!

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 09:38 AM

If this is indeed true, I wonder how the clothing would be distributed to the intended recipients. Presumably via some charity or other, as I can't imagine anyone in government wanting to take responsibility, as it would look too much like admitting we're failing the elderly.

I'm reminded of a story some years back of an offering of food aid from India to the people of Manchester which caused some embarrassment.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Megan L
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 10:10 AM

Skarpi I thought i had seen something about this elsewhere, a great big thanks go to the people of iceland who in the midst of thier own troubles have hearts big enough to care for others. But then anyone who have met Skarpi and Gunna would never have doubted that. Icelandic donation

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: jacqui.c
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 10:42 AM

WOW. Just goes to show that, in spite of all the bad news there are still a lot of people who will think past their own problems and hold out a hand to others. That is something that should have us all looking to see what we can do to help a neighbour.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 10:58 AM

Thanks, Megan, for the link. From it:

Icelandic broadcaster Heimir Karlsson said: "When we broadcast the story that UK pensioners were dying from the cold, our listeners could not believe their own ears. We decided to give the Icelandic nation four days to fill a 20ft container of pure Icelandic wool for the pensioners in Britain.

"Families, some from far away, came one after another with garments to fill the container. Some of the sweaters were brand new. One nine-year-old girl gathered 37 beautiful sweaters and delivered it to us at the radio station."

Between December 2007 and March 2008, 25,300 older people in England and Wales died of cold related illnesses - a 7 per cent increase on last year's figure of 23,740.

Wow, indeed. The compassion of Icelanders is something for all to emulate.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 02:41 PM

It's sad, inasmuch as it's necessary. Why can't we look after out old folks ourselves?
Why did they stop indexing the state pension to average earnings?
If they still did that it would be double what it is now.
Welfare state be buggered.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 05:50 PM

There are only about 350,000 people in Iceland - a small town in the US. Their generosity is amazing. I am not surprised. If Skarpi is a sample of the typical Icelander, the land is full good and generous folks.
Every year, here in Maine, the local supermarket collects coats and mittens for children who don't have them. It shocks me every time. Thanks you for sharing the story Skarpi.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:13 PM

Just a couple questions here.....are people not told to wear many thinner layers, rather than a heavy sweater?

Are there REALLY pensioners in UK who don't have clothes?

Just curious is all.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:21 PM

Yes Sorcha, there really are people - not just pensioners - in the UK who cannot afford to heat their homes, clothe themselves sensibly or feed themselves good, wholesome food. They are there in EVERY country... which is why I called them the hidden refugees from society.

Many, thinner layers are better yes, but not if those layers are all cheap nylon fabrics - they won't help a great deal. Besides, if woolly sweaters work in Iceland, they'll work elsewhere!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: skarpi
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:34 PM

My dear Sorcha , please read more about the world , it will suprise
you how the things are in other countrys , yes its amazing that in 2009
people are dyin from cold becouse they cannot heat their home its sad realy , so here is a little knowledge, Iceland has went back 20 years
becouse of the crisis , of 300,000 thousand 60,000 will be out of work very soon if the coverment dont do anything soon , health care will be poor again , less food in the stores
and less money in peoples hands , at the moment Iceland is cold , it is snowin , and cold outside but in our hearts there is heat alot of heat .

warm hearts that cares , not only in far places but also here at home
familys help eatch other , even their friends.

They say UK and four other countrys are goin the same way as us in this
crisis........ and they are many millions .....

if there is more that you want to know please ask.

All the best Skarpi

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: GUEST,fortunato
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:35 PM

skarpi

good job.

chance

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:36 PM

OK, thanks.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: My guru always said
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 06:50 PM

Thankyou Skarpi, and your countrymen & women. I am ashamed that we seem to be unable to care for our people in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 07:05 PM

In NYC they are called "Popsicles", black humor to help cope with the horror of people frozen to death.
A neighbor came to my door my last winter in NYC. He told me that there was a homeless man probably dead on the front steps of the building next door. I went out with my son and blankets. It was a homeless man barely conscious, a combination of cold and drink. I wrapped him in blankets and called an ambulance. They didn't want to come. Finally, with a great deal of pursuasion, I got an ambulance to come.
Another neighbor came to the second floor window and screamed "Get that drunk out of here." He too had walked passed the frozen body and ignored it.

The attendants were mildly amused that a middle class woman would bother. They took the man to the hospital to thaw out (he was completely stiff but alive). No doubt he was back on the streets in a matter of hours.

I do remember that he smiles at me and said "Gracias, lady".

Gracias, skarpi.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Ebbie
Date: 28 Jan 09 - 07:52 PM

Beautifully written, Sinsull.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: ossonflags
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 07:24 AM

Here is some more information from an email I recieved recently on the same subject:

A container filled with jumpers, socks and blankets - destined for Britain's fuel poor pensioners - will arrive at Grimsby on 26 January, following an appeal from listeners to a popular morning radio programme in Iceland, called Bitid.



The charitable appeal - called 'Icelandic Wool to England' (Islensk Ull til Englands) - started after the programme's hosts, Heimir Karlsson and Kolbrun Bjornsdottir, covered a story featuring Britain's National Pensioners Convention (NPC), and their warning that up to 1 in 12 pensioners may die this winter due to the drop in temperature.



Mr Karlsson interviewed an Icelander, Njall Hardarson, now living in Manchester, who explained the problems faced by many older people in Britain. The response from listeners prompted the idea of collecting garments made from unique Icelandic wool and shipping them to pensioners who are struggling to pay their fuel bills and keep warm in the current cold spell. A large freight company, Samskip, offered to ship the garments over and other businesses offered bags and boxes for packing.



The Icelandic organisers hope to formally hand over the garments at the end of next week to a charity of welfare organisation in the city of Hull (twinned with Reykjavik) to distribute to local pensioners.



NPC spokesperson, Neil Duncan-Jordan said: "This is a fantastic and generous act of compassion from the people of Iceland, particularly at a time when their own economic situation is extremely difficult. But it is also a shocking indictment of the UK government's complete inability to properly tackle the problem of winter deaths amongst older people."



"In the last decade we have lost 260,000 pensioners during the winter months and the response from Whitehall has been a deafening silence. We hope this act of kindness will shame the government into raising the state pension and the winter fuel allowance so that pensioners have the confidence to turn on the heating when they need it without the fear of what it might cost."



Icelandic broadcaster, Heimir Karlsson, who helped organise the appeal said: "When we broadcast the story that UK pensioners were dying from the cold, our listeners could not believe their own ears. We decided to give the Icelandic nation four days to fill a 20ft container of pure Icelandic wool for the pensioners in Britain. Families, some from far away, came one after another with garments to fill the container. Some of the sweaters were brand new. One 9 year old girl gathered 37 beautiful sweaters and delivered it to us at the radio station."



"I am sure I speak on behalf of every living soul in Iceland when I say that we looked at it with an utter dismay and total disbelief, how badly the government of the United Kingdom treats its old people. The elderly deserve to live their last years enjoying the best of care. They deserve to live in warm housing, free from worries over cold and rising gas bills. The Icelandic people heard about how terribly the UK government treats the pensioners, and could not just do nothing about it!"

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: bubblyrat
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 01:32 PM

The sad fact is,that the Labour (supposedly for "The People" )Party,which we have,due to voter apathy,had to endure for far too long now,has spent so much money on public-sector (government) pensions,sucking up to Scottish Nationalists,and lavishing fortunes on hijackers,political refugees,and asylum-seekers from all corners of the Earth,that there is so little money left that they can't look after the Old People who paid extortionate taxes all their working lives,in the expectation of being appreciated, honoured,and cared for in their declining years. (How's that for a long sentence, eh ??)
                           Is it any wonder that the incredulous ( but very lovely) Icelanders perceive the need to help out in this,the Winter of Our Discontent ?? Any offers from the Siberians, please ?? It is set to be VERY cold here next week !!

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 03:52 PM

We have the same problems here in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.... in Canada! When I was a lad, the homeless were male drunks who didn't want a home. Eddy The Bum was sent to jail when the cold weather hit. Seriously, it was front page news.

Now, it ain't just Eddy. It's a lot of people who probably never thought they would see the day that such a rich country would have it's leaders sell our heritage and our compassion to the highest bidder. It makes me weep.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 29 Jan 09 - 08:16 PM

What impresses me is not that they collected the clothes -- Americans for example have always stood ready and willing to donate clothing and goods...but they actually got them into a shipping container and set them off to their destination...26 Jan..have they gotten there? Perhaps the Hull contingent could inform us.

In America at least we have somehow lost the ability, and even the belief that it is possible, to gather up stuff and send it where it could do some good. The intention is still there but we seem overwhelmed by the logistics, plus of course the constant drilling by Red Cross etc. that they can only use money and distribution of actual items is counterproductive..which close to an immediate disaster it undoubtedly is, but somewhere outside the disaster area there are places that could distribute goods. This was certainly true of Katrina and was one of the great tragedies of Katrina, not that people didn't care and didn't try, but they were stopped. But I digress...good idea and I hope the notion spreads and that we are able to collect stuff and use empty train cars or whatever to get it where it needs to get. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: nutty
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 03:24 AM

The clothes have arrived but, judging by the reaction shown on TV, they have not been very graciously received. Perhaps Yorkshire was not the best place to send them to.
Certainly the people interviewed seemed to think that they did not need such charity.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: ossonflags
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 03:52 AM

Maybe you are right Hazel.
Remembering the Cod war, links with Hull and Iceland have not always been great;

Admirable gesture of the Iclandics but it is not charity we want it is the dignity of a proper pension.

Her is some 'ull folk who were glad of a wooly pully;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7859494.stm

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 06:33 AM

You must see this video clip.
The jumpers look beautiful!

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 06:33 AM

woops!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7859966.stm

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: skarpi
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 06:36 AM

Well , I would like to do this every year ,

but we do , how? , well as a member in the Redcross we get to gether all year around clothes of all kind , I have no number how many containers up 40 ft goes from the Icelandic Redcross to other
countrys ,we even gather christmas gift for children in Ukraine every
year .

This collection was the act of one man s idea , not the red cross,

As for Katrina , we may have help there through the Red cross , that is something I have to look at , .

But its sad that we in western world , we who have been so busy
to live our live , thinkin only about our self , we looked away from lot of problems , like : Gaza,sri lanka , what about the children
who live on trash in Filippian Islans, what about africa ? what about children slavery in India, Pakistan ? , what about south America ?
what about slavery of women and children in the sex industri ?
and so I can go on , I am well know that we cant dothis for all ,
but this is a picture of what one mans idea can grow up to be .

We have over the years build new water system in africa
and we will do that again this years as always .

I am pritty sure what I am gonna do when I have put my things
in the right gear , when those crisis is over .

now ossonflags said : Admirable gesture of the Iclandics but it is not charity we want it is the dignity of a proper pension.

well , a proper pension yes you should have it , but ask mr brown
why , I saw him in tv and only thing he could say ? this is
all becouse of the crisis , well he is partly right , and partly wrong , becouse if s there a will do change , its doable .

Mr . Brown put on the terrorist law against us , and we answear
back by sending jumpers, to people who are in need , I know its not gonna solve alot but maybe its a message to Mr.Brown who should be a shame of him self for treating you like he is doin .

If I have in any part said some thing to hurt some one then I am sorry , that was not my intend.


all the best Skarpi Iceland
Member of the : A,erican Red Cross , Icelandic Red Cross,
EMT , Rescue member in the Icelandic rescue teams , ready to serv , 24/7 all year around for no
pay .

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: Ebbie
Date: 30 Jan 09 - 10:44 AM

{{{{{Skarpi}}}}}

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: ossonflags
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 05:33 AM

Thanks Scarpi.

Subject: RE: BS: Icelanders are collecting clothes f/UK
From: ossonflags
Date: 31 Jan 09 - 05:34 AM

Sorry about missplelling Skarpi