There was a meeting, on Monday, September 7th, to discuss potential local efforts to help refugees in Calais.

Last week, Gemma Jones and Ruth Worgan formed a group on Facebook, Ross for Refugees. Gemma explained during the meeting that her original aim was to drive to Calais with a car full of donations to hand out to the refugees, but she noticed on social media that many others were concerned about the refugee crisis in Europe.

She and Ruth then formed the Ross for Refugees forum on Facebook, to give others in the community the chance to get involved in donating material items, and some had expressed an interest in also driving to Calais to drop off the goods.

During the meeting, several people volunteered to drive donations to Calais during October and November. More people said they would help to sort the donations, and working parties were formed.

The refugee crisis is a long term problem, and although giving donations is not a solution, it does provide rapid response, and makes sure that the refugees have what they need to stay healthy. “They’re doing a great job making do, but let’s help them to make do a bit better,” Gemma said.

To read this story in full, please pick up this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.