Expats in Cyprus are being encouraged to donate aid destined for struggling families and individuals in Greece as part of a charity initiative by the Cyprus Archbishopric which includes collection drives around the island.

“The Cyprus Archbishopric wants to make sure that as many communities as possible know about the chance to help. I have had so many queries from the British expat community already,” a spokesperson for the drive told OGC.

The biggest need is for dried and canned food and unwanted clothing in good condition. To date, Cyprus has sent 13 aid-filled containers to Greece. Help has included 10 tonnes of the island’s famous potatoes and 2.5 tonnes of meat.

“We won’t stop,” the spokesperson said. “We will keep on gathering aid as long as necessary. There are three-year-old children begging on the streets in Greece and none of the unemployed have much chance of finding work. It is shocking.”

In addition to the drives, a programme to help raise cash called “Invitation to Love” is soon to be aired on CyBC, the state TV and radio network. The economic situation in Greece is critical with unemployment at a high and much of the workforce facing huge salary cuts as part of measures to fight a deficit.

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