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Help was on hand over the weekend as volunteers gave their time to collect and sort donations heading for the refugee encampment in Calais.

Collection points were set up in Irvine by Gillian Owens at the SNP hub on the High Street and at the Vineburgh Community Centre, along with other collections at volunteer’s homes in Irvine and Kilwinning.

Speaking about her collection on Sunday as part of the wider umbrella group, Wishaw to Calais, Gillian Owens said: “Two car loads of donations were taken to Wishaw today and the rest of the items were handed into Vineburgh as they would be continuing to collect items on a permanent basis.

“I would like to thank everyone that turned up on the day to help, they were so enthusiastic and gave up their time, and I’d also like to say thank you to Tesco Irvine and Annick Primary for collecting items for our refugee collection as well.”

Vineburgh Community Centre is still collecting and items which are needed badly include shoes, tents, tarpaulin, jackets, socks, bags, candles, torches and belts.

Campaigner Yvonne McLellan, who is part of the group, Ayrshire for Refugees, said: “We have had another meeting this week and decided that the crowd-funding page for hiring transport will be up and running by the end of the week.

“I would urge people to keep the campaign momentum going and donate what you can, we are in shortage of toiletries at the moment so if anyone or any local business can help with the appeal it would be warmly received.

“There is a shipment leaving for Lebanon via Edinburgh on Thursday, September 24, and we plan to help that so I would ask people to keep checking our Facebook page for sorting days and announcements as we’re in the process of getting a permanent basis organised.”

Cash donations for the crowd-funding event for transport can also be handed into the Vineburgh Community Centre.

(Image: Steve McKendrick)

North Ayrshire Council have aslo agreed to take in between 50 and 100 refugees from the Syrian crisis over a period of time.

After an urgent motion the council reaffirmed their commitment to helping refugees affected by the crisis, which received widespread cross-party support at Wednesday’s meeting.

The motion agreed to support the work of the Scottish Government and opposition parties to urge the UK Government to accept more refugees.

It also committed to working with COSLA and the Government to enabling more refugees to come to North Ayrshire.

Depending on family sizes, it is expected that support and accommodation will be able to be provided to between 50 and 100 refugees over a period of time.

In addition, Council Leader Willie Gibson, in his capacity as SNP Group Leader at COSLA, has been appointed to the Scottish refugee task force which will help to develop a strategic plan to deal with the ongoing crisis.

Council Leader Willie Gibson, said: “We can not sit idly by and do nothing as the present humanitarian crisis – the likes of which haven’t been seen since the Second World War – continues to escalate.

“Violence, torture, rape, and oppression have already forced millions of people to flee their homes in search of safety and this is something we can not ignore.

“Everyone should be free to live without fear of persecution and we will therefore continue to work with COSLA and the UK and Scottish Governments to do what we can to help address the ongoing situation.

“We are also planning to hold discussions with church groups to see how we can support them.

“In addition, I know many local organisations, individuals and elected members have been supporting charities providing aid to the victims of the ongoing crisis.

“This is very encouraging and underlines the strong desire of the people of North Ayrshire have to help those living in fear and unimaginable conditions.”