A FORMER church missionary is helping others at the age of 91 as a volunteer with East Lothian Aid for Refugees at Wallyford.

Mark Wilson, from Longniddry, sorts out donations of shoes at the organisation's base at Wallyford Industrial Estate each week.

He is now urging others to follow suit and give up their spare time to aid Syrian refugees at home and in Europe.

"I thought someone should be doing something about the refugees. I found ELAR's address and contacted them. I go to Wallyford every Wednesday by bus to sort out shoes for men, women and children. They are made up in pairs but I have to work out the British and European sizes," explained Mr Wilson, who served as a missionary for the Church of Scotland in North India for 25 years along with his late wife.

Mr Wilson, who worked on aircraft engines in the Fleet Air Arm as a mechanic during the Second World War, added: "I would certainly encourage people to become volunteers for ELAR. I will keep volunteering as far as I can."

East Lothian Aid for Refugees - a not for profit Community Investment Company - was started two years ago by Janet Barnes and Fiona Cesari who wanted to do something to help the Syrian refugees.

Donations of clothing and other items such as sleeping bags and kitchen utensils are collected and taken to the warehouse at Wallyford which is rented from East Lothian Council. There the goods are sorted and packed for shipping overseas.

Spokesman Anne Bisset said: "We have around 10 volunteers who help in the warehouse and many more who collect donations and fundraise. Recently we have had Syrian refugees volunteering with us."

She added: "Mark helps regularly at our warehouse where he has become an expert in sorting and sizing all types of footwear. He is a loyal and much valued member of our organisation."

She said the organisation also aided Syrian refugees living in East Lothian and was ready to welcome a small number who were due to arrive in the county in December.

Initially called Calaid East Lothian, the group worked in conjunction with Calaid Edinburgh which was also fundraising to ship donations to refugees.

ELAR has so far managed to send a full 16 ton truck down to Slough where it was sent in convoys to Serbia and other refugee hot spots. Donations and teams of volunteers have been sent to the refugee camp in Calais known as 'the Jungle' a number of times and goods are contributed to a distribution point in Belgium to reach those in the greatest need. Further trips to Calais and the Greek Islands are planned throughout the winter.

For drop-off points for donations and further information about volunteering go to ELAR's website at http://www.elar.org.uk/about-us.html