MONMOUTH-based action group INEED has reached its funding target of £1,000, and has sent a group of volunteers to Calais to help with the refugee crisis.

Fundraising reached its peak last Sunday, 13th September, with a cake and pancake stall at The Bell Inn in Redbrook. The group will be travelling to Calais to help organise and distribute donated items where needed, and to assess for themselves what they feel needs to be done. The group has joined forces with Chepstow Helps Calais, and has been overwhelmed with the support and donated goods from residents of Monmouthshire.

Emily Boyd, of Chepstow Helps Calais, said: “Donations have been overwhelming, as people donate much-needed goods, or their own time to volunteer.

“We ask anyone who wants to arrange a donations drop-off point in their local school or hall, to contact us or come to an existing point to get a poster. Please check the Facebook groups for an update on items needed.”

Drop-off locations and times are as follows: At Bridges Community Centre, from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm; at Shire Hall, Sundays 10am until 4pm, and at ATC Traditional Timber Monmouth Showroom, Monday to Friday, between 08.00am and 5.30pm.

At The Bell Inn Redbrook every day, from 11am to 2pm, and 3pm to 6pm, and at St Saviour’s Church every day from 3pm.

Chepstow Baptist Church on Lower Church Street, on Mondays 2.30pm to 4.30pm, on Wednesdays 9.30am to 11.30am then 6.30pm to 7pm, and Friday from 9.30am until 11.30am. Smaller items can be dropped off at Tiffin Tea Shop in St Mary’s Street from Monday to Friday, between 10.00am and 3.00pm

These times will continue until further notice.

For a list of items that are needed, updates on the collection-drive, and for any other offers of support, contact: Chepstow Helps Calais at [email protected] or follow @HelpCalaisNP16 on Twitter, or find their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/HelpCalaisChepstow