Thanks to the generosity of local people, Laura Campbell, from Radstock, who has been instrumental in setting up Midsomer Norton Aid for Refugees, was able to help pack up the first van full of donations which were driven to London on Monday this week to meet the Calais Action team.

As donations are not currently being accepted at Calais because warehouse space there is too full, two artic lorries are due to travel from London to Croatia with supplies that local groups, such as the Midsomer Norton Aid for Refugees, have been providing.

Laura appealed for help with storing donated items, which included camping equipment, shoes, jumpers and supplies to keep refugees warm and clean, particularly with winter approaching.

Andrew Oatley, full-time support worker for local charity, SWALLOW, kindly offered the unit he uses at Haydon for his business, ‘One Fair World’, trading clothes and goods from countries such as Morocco and Nepal. Through the business, he has friends from both Syria and Iraq, and says he hopes to be able to go to Calais himself soon and volunteer his services. Because of his trade, he can also speak good Arabic and was only too happy to help Laura in her endeavours.

Driving the van which was loaded with supplies from Haydon was Peasedown St John courier, Jason Harris, who owns the company, ‘iVan’. He says: “I was only wondering a day or so before Laura got in touch with me how I could possibly help – it was strange how it all happened so quickly. I jumped at the chance to be involved.”

Speaking about his journey, he said: “It poured with rain to and from London, which made me think our delivery of more tents, clothes, shoes, blankets and food was timely. The Safestore was a hive of industry, with many volunteers helping unload the van, quickly sorting through and separating items like bed rolls and sleeping bags from everything from rice and pasta to custard creams and coffee.

“We left a small mountain of donated items from our collections in the Radstock and Midsomer Norton area. You could see that some people had left no stone unturned, pressing unused tents and cool bags back into service, other folk had clearly gone out and shopped specifically for listed items, such was the generosity on display.

“Some ladies had knitted dozens of jumpers specifically for refugee children – these demonstrations of kindness were typical of the generosity on display from the genuine grass roots people in the country. It looked to me from the donations that had flooded in to the distribution hub in London that the Dunkirk spirit is alive and well, not only in the South West, but all over the country, folk from all walks of life have organised themselves in no time at all and delivered aid to those in need.

“These donations stand for what real people think and feel about this situation. They want to do everything they can to help. And if we can all roll up our sleeves and get going, then why can’t those in government do more?

“I would like to say a really big thank you to everyone who has donated, it has been truly overwhelming,” adds Laura. “But we no longer need supplies – what we are asking for now is donations of money, so that it can be spent on what is needed at that point in time, such as better shelter and food. 100% of donations will always go where needed and none will be used for travel.

“Thank you also to Victoria Hall, Midsomer Norton Town Hall and the Wunderbar for being drop-off points, to Hannah Keevill, from Midsomer Norton, who has helped sort through all of the donations and to Carmen Lois Goodman who has placed collection buckets around the area. Customers of my homemade curtain and blind business have also donated, everyone has been so generous.”

Some European countries temporarily relaxed border controls after months of deaths being reported as refugees tried to cross seas, seeking asylum. Now, these countries are unsure how to proceed with the influx and have stopped many refugees entering, leaving around 120,000 stranded in temporary camps, at best – which is why donations are being sought.

The Wunderbar will be holding a fundraising evening on 28th November with a 24-hour DJ marathon which will start from 12 noon – look out for more events planned in the area. To donate, visit: https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/laura-campbell or visit the Facebook page, Midsomer Norton Aid for Refugees.