Sutton St James woman takes on ration challenge to raise awareness of the plight of Syrian refugees

How would you feel if you were told all you could eat for a week was a ration of rice, flour and beans?

That is the challenge that Shula Onions has set herself to help raise money for the charity Concern Worldwide and promote awareness of the plight of Syrian refugees.

Shula (26), who lives near Sutton St James, normally eats a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables but wanted to take on the challenge to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

The mum-of-four said: “The challenge has been going for a few years but with the coronavirus situation it is particularly important.

“It means eating the same rations as Syrian refugees in Jordan. This year has been harder for the charity because of coronavirus and they have not had as many donations. It has been a tough year for everyone.

“The Ration Challenge popped up on my Facebook page. I clicked on it and read it and I thought it is something I have to do.

“With a fully functioning kitchen it is amazing what you can do with the rations. We can bake and fry them but for the refugees they usually only have the option of boiling them.”

Speaking on day three of her challenge, Shula said: “I am a gardener and I grow a lot of fruit and veg. It’s difficult at the moment with all the apples and pears that are ready for harvesting and I can’t eat them.

“I normally eat a balanced diet, but with not so much meat or dairy, and we make our own fresh bread.”

The rations for the seven day challenge work out as 1.92kg of rice, 400g of flour, 170g of lentils, 85g of dried chickpeas, 120g of tinned sardines (Shula has swapped these for tofu, which is allowed in the challenge), 400g of kidney beans and 330ml of vegetable oil.

Those taking part in the challenge can earn extra ration rewards for the sponsorship they secure – such as a dried spice, a tea bag or salt.

“It’s just myself in the family doing the challenge,” Shula said.

Her husband Phil is a support worker doing 14-hour shifts and her children - daughters Alanis (7), Melika (6) and sons Ayrton (4) and Emrys (3) are too young to do the challenge.

“It is harder than I thought it would be,” she said. “I have lost my appetite for rice. But we have not left our entire lives behind. We have not lost our homes, we’re not living in tents. It is not comparable to what the refugees are going through.”

To support Shula in her challenge, go to: www.rationchallenge.org.uk/shula-onions