Despite six years of recession and tough austerity measures, Greek citizens have not turned their backs on stranded migrants and refugees who have been trapped in the country and cannot continue their journey to western Europe due to border restrictions along the Balkan route.





More than 12,000 people responded to the call of the NGO "Social Solidarity Network" in Athens on Sunday to donate goods to assist refugees, with compassion prevailing once more time in the debt-ridden country.





Syntagma square in the center of the Greek capital transformed until late in the evening into a big open warehouse where priority items were gathered for refugees. The response to the event, which was organized through social media, came as a surprise to the network as well.





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Elders and young couples with babies in prams, even people in wheelchairs, went to the meeting point to contribute to the donation drive.





A chain of volunteers sorted through all the goods gathered, from sleeping bags and rain gear, to baby carriers and blankets.



