TWO tonnes of donations from residents in Stroud is now on the way to refugees in Calais and Greece.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints spent a day in the B&Q car park in Dudbridge Hill accepting clothes, shoes, toiletries and camping equipment.

Over 35 deliveries of very high-quality donations were made in the first hour alone.

Volunteers carefully sorted and packed over 75 large industrial bulk bags, each weighing approximately 25kg.

A spokesman for the refugee aid collection said: “The response was overwhelming, averaging one drop-off every give mins for the entire six-hour collection.

“But it was the constant messages of support from the people who donated that kept the volunteers motivated.

“One person had written a personal message on each of the carefully packed bags saying, with love next to a hand-drawn heart.”

The items have been passed on to charity People-in-Motion which provides support and aid to displaced people.

Now a second collection is being planned for Saturday, October 8 between 10am-3pm in the B&Q car park.

Winter clothing items, care packages and camping equipment will be gratefully received.