CR30
Calcutta Rescue
30 years of Healthcare, Education and Hope
30 years ago, in 1979, Dr Jack Preger stepped off a plane in Kolkata. He had been caring for refugees of the war in Bangladesh and was on his way back to London. It was only meant to be a short stopover, but Dr Jack never went home. Appalled by the condition of the thousands of poverty stricken people he saw living on the city streets with no access to healthcare, he followed his instincts and got out his medical bag. At first he was on his own and could only treat a handful of patients. But word spread and a trickle of nurses, doctors, and travellers passing through Kolkata heard about what he was doing and came to help. Others gave money to buy the vital medicines.
Little by little the charity became established, with support groups being formed in European countries by returning volunteers. They raised money to treat more patients, open schools and start employment projects. As word spread, more volunteers arrived and the charity established a reputation for outstanding commitment to the poor people of Kolkata and surrounding areas.
Over the years it has overcome enormous challenges, driven on by the determination to allow nothing to impede its support for people who have nowhere else to turn.
To celebrate all that has been achieved over the past three decades the UK support group has organised a series of special events and initiatives this year. We hope this will raise the profile of the charity, bring together ex volunteers, and help raise money for the projects which are threatened by the world-wide recession.
