Lochaber takes global campaign to help refugees to their hearts

DUROR WOMAN SETS UP VOLUNTARY ACTION GROUP TO SUPPORT YOUNG MEN CAMPED NEAR CHANNEL TUNNEL

or sent away before they are snatched to fight. The army then sends them out on their own to places like this. That image in my mind for me was enough to spur me to help and make a difference.

‘ We are focussing on providing aid to The Jungle because it is a camp for young men and they tend to be forgotten about. People are generally more frightened of young men, while the camps for women and children tend to be better catered for.’

Liz initiated CalAid Lochaber - a branch of the main aid collection service set up in London - and reached out to others in the area.

Just one week after starting up a page on social media, a team of around 12 volunteers are now linking up with aid workers in Skye and Badenoch.

Liz said: ‘ Within days of starting the Facebook event page I was inundated with support, donations and people looking to branch out the campaign in their areas. The support the group has received has been overwhelming. Groups in Aberdeen, Inverness and Ross-shire have been in touch to find out what they can do in their own areas.’

So far, CalAid Lochaber has received countless boxes of clothes, toiletries, sleeping bags and a local hotel even donated blankets. They are also awaiting a ‘ van-load’ of outdoor clothing to be donated by a clothing company.

The group met on Tuesday at Fort William High Street’s Aye2Aye Hub to plan and discuss the organisation of the donations, transport to the London unit, and storage of the donations - which are being temporarily kept in local farmyard barns.

The team of volunteers will also host events in a bid to raise the cash to transport the donations. Events will include a silent auction of art work gifted to the group by Lochaber artists.

The auction already has 10 pieces and is set to open on Saturday (September 12).

To support the campaign search CalAid Lochaber on Facebook.