A group of South Lakeland musicians are organising collections of essential supplies to send to the refugee camps near Calais.
They'll be busking and handing out leaflets on the streets of Kendal in the next few days, and are asking anyone who can donate items like boots, shoes and waterproof jackets to contact them.
Ambleside musician Olivia Fern has just returned from working as a volunteer in the refugee camps near Calais, where she was moved by the harsh conditions and the suffering of the people there. Olivia said: “It's hard to believe that just an hour’s ferry drive from Dover and just 1hr by train from London, there is a humanitarian crisis.
"Literally on our doorstep people who have fled war and persecution are living in leaking tents, with no heating supply, in the middle of winter.
Their basic needs being met is down to ordinary people now as due to the political situation no major aid organisations are currently allowed to be involved.
"We've had a very mild winter so far but the coldest period is yet to come for those living in their make shift tents on the coast of France, and due to this the people in Calais need our support now more than ever.
"What became clear to me during my time there was just how hand to mouth the situation is in terms of supplies and people power. People being warm and having enough food really is dependent upon a continual stream of donations and volunteers. From day to day it's not a sure thing that they will have enough to meet people's basic needs.
"Truly, anything we can give, whether food, clothing, time or money, will make a huge difference!Never think it's not enough. In these situation we really are part of a greater whole and everything we do makes a difference. For anyone who reads this and feels they would like to go and help in person I have nothing but encouragement.
"Even if you can only help out for a week it is a huge help and an empowering experience for all involved to go and connect with the people and what is going on there on a more human level.”
Kendal musicians and record producers Bill and Ali Lloyd have joined forces with Olivia and other local musicians, including the Cumbria Gaita Band, to organise the local collections.
Bill said: “British people have many different opinions about the politics of the refugee crisis, but we are focusing on the humanitarian suffering. There are thousands of people stuck in Calais with no-where else to go. Most of these people have been bombed and frightened out of their homes, in fear of their lives, and they have given up what little they had to try to save their own children.
"It is tragic, but our fear of terrorism, and now our fear of sex assaults and thieving, has added to the old fears about immigrants taking our jobs and our houses. These fears are real, and there is no point in pretending otherwise, but the fear obscures the fact that a few troublemakers dominate the news, while
there are many people including women and children in these camps who have nothing, - no homes, no bed to lie on, not even waterproof clothes - and who do not know when they will next get a meal.
"The fear and the politics has scared off many of the major charities, so most of the people on the ground giving practical help over there are volunteers – ordinary people who just want to help out."
Bill, Alison and Olivia have been joined by the Cumbria Gaita Band, who play bagpipe music on Galician bagpipes. They will be busking on the streets of Kendal, appealing for help and donations of certain high priority items which are very badly needed.
All donations will be sorted and packed in boxes for transport to Calais.