Children in Leeds Send Messages to 4-year-old Refugee in Calais
A four year old girl said to be living in 'heartbreaking' conditions in Calais will receive drawings and letters from children here in Leeds - as the Guiseley aid worker who tried to bring her into the UK faces up to 5 years in jail.
Rob Lawrie met Bahar (nicknamed 'Bru') while working with refugees in what has become known as The Jungle. Her father begged Rob to smuggle Bru into the UK so she could stay with family living legally in Leeds.
He was arrested at the French bordes and now faces human trafficking charges.
Jim Innes knows Rob through aid work but had never met him face to face. The petition he set up calling for clemency for Rob has attracted more than 42,000 signatures.
Jim works at a local children's charity and told Radio Aire the young people he helps have been making drawings and letters to send to Bru because they wanted to do something to help:
The petition recognises that Rob's actions were illegal, but asks for him to be spared jail - arguing that "Rob shouldn't be treated as a criminal, but as an ordinary man who trying to do the right thing in extraordinary circumstances."
You can find the petition here.