Cumbrian aid delivered to refugees in northern France

Donations to Carlisle Refugee Action Group (CRAG) and Massive Outpouring of Love (MOOL) in Dumfries have been taken over by Jon Greenwood.

Jon, who has not visited Calais before, is the manager of Opshops Cumbria which operates a network of charity shops across Carlisle.

The aid includes several tonnes of blankets, sleeping bags, tents, tinned food, toiletries and warm clothes.

He handed them over to organisations working with refugees in northern France on Saturday.

It is hoped that the items make a difference to people living in difficult conditions in the Calais area and beyond as wintery conditions set in.

Before leaving Carlisle Jon said: "We work hard supporting those in need in our local area and are very pleased to have the opportunity, thanks to the continued generosity of local people, to help others further away who are in real need."

Meanwhile CRAG representatives have recently produced a "Mythbusters" document for people in Cumbria.

It seeks to clarify facts and figures about refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

It includes definitions about what a refugee is and challenges the myths that the UK is ‘flooded with refugees’, that they’re ‘only here for the benefits’ and that the ‘UK is a soft touch’ among others.

Copies are being circulated to local churches and schools.

Copies have also been given to all 1,500 students at Ullswater Community College in Penrith.

They have visited the Escape to Safety interactive refugee exhibition in the last fortnight.

Volunteers from CRAG are no strangers to the conditions in northern France.

James Cartwright visited the refugee camp in Calais for the first time two years ago.

There were about 3,000 displaced people either in Calais or Dunkirk at the time.

He found that the gratitude people showed for donations in the camp, known as "The Jungle", was humbling.

The camp was demolished a year ago but it is thought that up to 2,000 refugees are still in the area.