I have always tried to help people whenever I have been able as I know very well the feeling of being in a desperate situation.  When I first came to the Fethiye area I had a real culture shock seeing inside the village houses that people hardly had bare essentials and no running water inside their kitchens.  When a family tragedy struck to people we knew and and the family were left with nothing my husband and I tried to help. I was very impressed with the charity organisations in Northern Cyprus and wanted to do something here in Fethiye. So in October 2003 I wrote an article in the local English newspaper to try to form some sort of help association and had so much response that a meeting was held and Fethiye International Group was born which I became part of and started the second hand clothes project.

I am pleased to say that many things have changed and there are now quıte a few groups  to which I  contribute when I can and pass on the news to holidaymakers I meet Children from poor families are helped with school uniforms books are given to school libraries and medical equipment help to clinics and so much more. Another charity very close to my heart is AA Fethiye Street Cat Hospital which helps street cats and has a neutering programme to which I try to besides feeding stray cats in the area where I live.  When I am in Northern Cyprus I enjoy going to the Animal Rescue in Kyrenia charity shop to make my contribution there too.

I have to also mention a wonderful group in another holiday town over here in Turkey who help Syrian refugees and collect knitted and crochet items to send to the refugee camps and help the children.. ‘Lily’ – Love in the Language of Yarn who are based in Kusadasi make up blankets from knitted squares sent to them from all over the world.