REFUGEES across Europe and the Middle East are set to receive a haul of donations – thanks to generous contributions from the Farnham area.

The Farnham Help for Refugees team were set up at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne Church from 3pm to 7pm on Friday, October 4, collecting items such as clothing, sleeping bags and nappies.

In total, donations managed to fill more than 158 large boxes, which will go toward helping those now facing a long, cold and wet winter.

Emma Bandey, a member of the Farnham Help for Refugees, said: “We are very grateful for all of the donations – we heard stories of clothes from lost loved ones, much-loved baby and children clothes that families want to pass on to others and people buying new items to help.

“The community’s generosity shone through with all the items donated and the time volunteers gave to help sort and pack the items.”

Volunteers included a team from Farnborough College, plus gap-year student Jonty Woodbridge, who was said to “have beaten the world record” for the number of woolly hats in one box.

Donations will “end up in refugee camps across Greece in the coming days” with a car load of sleeping bags and blankets also heading to Calais. The team also collected enough toiletries to fill up a car, which has been welcomed by the British Red Cross, Portsmouth.

Although the collection has now been completed, those still wishing to donate can sponsor a box of donations, with each costing £6 to send.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/sponsor-a-box and include reference ‘Farnham Help for Refugees’.