Angela Feeney, a podiatrist at Newmains Health Centre, is among generous residents of Wishaw and surrounding areas who are working together to provide aid for Syrian refugees stranded in France.

Angela is an organiser of the Wishaw to Calais appeal, which has been inundated by donations from across the west of Scotland.

She said: “I’ve had lots of support from within NHS Lanarkshire. My team leader, Claire James, and head of podiatry Robert Peat have been a great moral support to me as I co-ordinate our trip to Calais. 

“Overall we have raised £12,000, including fantastic support from Unison Lanarkshire Health Branch, who have kindly donated £1000 and offered to help pack and box all the clothes.”  

The group of volunteers are also delighted to have been given use of a warehouse in Bellshill, three vans and driver training by North Lanarkshire Council.

Angela added: “This increases our capacity and means we are continuing to accept donations. We now have all the clothes we need. However, we are still looking for tents, camping equipment and toiletries.”

Local schools have been helping to donate items and a group of Celtic supporters donated two van loads.

Nine people from the group will travel to Calais on Friday 16 October. 

To find out more about the group and to contact them about making donations follow them on Facebook www.facebook.com/Wishawtocalais/timeline or on their Crowdfunder website www.crowdfunder.co.uk/from-wishaw-to-calais