A YEAR after taking a van full of aid to the so-called ‘jungle’ camp in Calais, three Gwynedd women are continuing to raise money for refugees.

Seren Dolma, of Croesor, Nia Jeffreys, of Porthmadog and Sara Roberts, from Criccieth say seeing the conditions in the camp during their visit had a long-lasting effect on them.

Over the last year they have worked with local refugee fund-raising group, CEFN, to raise funds for those fleeing war-torn countries by hosting ‘pop-up shops’ in Porthmadog, Penrhyndeudraeth and Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Nia said: “Visiting the refugee camp had a profound effect on me, it was a shock to see people living in such terrible conditions. By selling vintage clothes we can raise money to pay to send out essentials to refugees who desperately need them.

“Our last ‘pop-up shop’ was in the indoor car boot sale in the Ganolfan in Porthmadog, the support from local people was amazing.

“So many people have been touched by the stories of refugees and want to help.

“We will be in the Ganolfan again before Christmas with another ‘pop-up shop’ full of good quality clothes.

“Please pop along and grab yourself a bargain.”

Sara said she has been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of the area.

She said: “I have been amazed and touched by the generosity of the people of north Wales, who had responded fantastically to the need in Calais and across Europe.

“Despite some of the anti-refugee rhetoric and misinformation people genuinely want to help in any way they can and CEFN offers them the chance to do just that.”

Selma added: “What we are doing feels so small in the face of the enormity of the problem, but without the response of hundreds of thousands of ordinary people like us to the crisis, it would be so much worse.

“It is difficult for us here to help directly, the trip to Calais last year made me realise that even if you travel to the places where the emergency is at its most intense, the impact you can make in a few short days is minimal, and volunteering abroad for longer stints just isn’t practical for many of us.

“By consistently raising a little bit of money, helping sort donations, talking to people about the issues, I hope we are supporting people many miles away in ways we can’t even imagine. I am so grateful to the people at CEFN, particularly Caron Dukes, who are there week after week, organising and holding the organisation together, and creating opportunities for people like me to contribute in small ways.”