A MERCY mission to help inhabitants of Calais’ “Jungle” refugee slums in France was made after Christmas by three young members of Haslemere’s The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Charlotte and Harry Ball and Ethan McNamee joined 150 church volunteers, who packed 600 food parcels in just 90 minutes, and travelled to the Care4Calais warehouse and distribution centre in the French port, on the same day.

The “Christmas in Calais” aid project came a month after 150 church members packed more than 450 boxes of food, which were also delivered and distributed to the camps on the same day.

The Jungle is currently home to around 4,000 migrants living in unsanitary conditions in makeshift camps, but the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais – the town’s civic authority – announced it will gradually reduce that number to 1,500 refugees, who will be rehoused in better accommodation as part of a £18.5million project.

The city will also move around 400 refugees to a local shelter for women and children and others will be offered beds in Calais.

The remaining migrants will be encouraged to leave and seek shelter at reception and orientation centres elsewhere in France.

In addition to the 600 food parcels delivered in “Christmas in Calais”, 10,000 blankets, 20,000 rain ponchos, and 4,000 winter hats were donated by the church’s humanitarian aid department in Frankfurt.

Hindhead resident, Darren Phillips, bishop of the Guildford congregation, also travelled to Calais.

“We stepped into a third world camp made up of people simply trying to stay alive,” he said.

“They are very grateful for any aid they receive.

“Many are walking in the muddy quagmire with flip-flops for footwear.

“They go for days without food. When aid is distributed they are respectful and have hope that they are able to receive a parcel before the van doors close.

“After a very short time, the van is empty and the doors bang shut.

“The queue is still long and we don’t know what to say to the unlucky ones.

“Then they graciously wish us a Happy New Year with a smile.

“You can’t help feeling inadequate as one person.

“But as a group we were able to provide food for one third of the camp, which would last them for four days, prepared and packed by the members of our church. I am grateful to have participated in this marvellous project.”

Charlotte and Harry’s father, Russell Ball, regional president of the Mormon church congregations, added: “This was a remarkable event.

“We had a real opportunity to make a difference.

“The support from the members of the congregations in our region was fantastic and we were also honoured to have the Mayor of Spelthorne with us.

“We are humbled and energised and will be doing more again in the coming months, and look forward to involving members of the local communities in this great effort.”