Every month an amazing drop in centre appears in East Finchley just for a few hours and gives over 200 asylum seekers some food, basic commodities, clean clothes, counselling, legal advice, warmth, support and hope. Its amazing and we can all do something to support it.

The Drop-In supports people who have fled war, torture and abuse but have failed in their bids for asylum in the UK. Without that legal status they cannot work, leaving many living on less than £5 a week.

Caroline Glasner a regular at the Drop In Centre and the motivator behind this appeal, said: “Month on month, I’ve seen dozens of them plead for sanitary towels from a supply that is way insufficient. It is humbling and heartbreaking knowing these basic necessities are unaffordable.”

Diane Taylor, co-organiser of the drop-in, said: “These asylum seekers, who have had their claims turned down have chosen destitution and a life underground over forced deportation for one reason only — to save their lives.

“This state of affairs shames us all.”

So here is the challenge - we have an office on the Sternberg Centre site. The office is pretty average size (but lovely deco) and we thought we could collectively fill it with sanitary towels, tampons, and nappies. The challenge is to fill it so much we can't get in the door. Its more fun with a time limit so how about stuffing it full by Friday 21st August?

Buy one or two extra things this week when you go shopping and drop them off at the Sternberg Centre with a label saying JCORE appeal.

Or if you feel really motivated, invite friends to bring nappies instead of a Friday night bottle of wine, or hassle the local supermarkets to give you their unused but slightly damaged sanitary towels that they can't sell, or put a box in the entrance of your house, workplace or community buildings and ask for donations.

Go out and buy something, drop it off and make a difference.

If you fancy the money route instead, donate by visiting the JCORE website.

Find out about other Jewish events in London and across the country