Leeds Volunteers Pack For Calais
A small group of volunteers from Leeds are heading out to the ‘Calais Jungle’ today, to do what they can to help those living in the camps.
The Calais Aid Network have been collecting donations to take to migrants in Calais and Kos.
Ifty Patel, founder of The People’s Street Kitchen and who set up The Calais Aid Network Leeds, said "five days ago I was affected by the photograph, especially of the dad with the child. I think this is what it is, people have realised actually we're parents, we're lucky - this could have happened to us. I looked into it I thought there was just a few hundred people in Calais, but when I looked into it, there's approximately three to four thousand."
Along with food and other supplies, they also have to take equipment to help their journey.
"Sleeping bags, socks, shoes and also - believe it or not - spades - because just this morning at 4 I got a call saying there's lots of potholes. It's stopping traffic moving quickly. So we are actually filling our van with spades and equipment to make sure we can repair the potholes. We are reacting straight away."
People across Leeds have been donating their items, but for Ifty it could be the start of something more.
"It's very difficult for us because we are going on a fact finding mission, we are going to go and help - but we are also feeling very very upset and emotional about what we are going to see. We have prepared ourselves the best we can, but luckily as we are a group and we have worked together, we should be able to support each other and encourage each other."
If you want to give money to help the volunteers distribute supplies, visit their Just Giving page.
The group has also set up the website www.yorkshireaid.org where people can find information on what they can do.