RYEDALE residents have rallied round appeals to help the refugee crisis with support from across the community.

Collection points have been swamped with donations of clothing and other items with one volunteer changing his plans to take a van across to Greece to hiring a 40ft shipping container with the possibility of a second load next month.

Alex Thornton, 33, of Pickering, had planned to travel to Pireaus with two friends to deliver the items, including tents, sleeping bags and basic clothing essentials to charities working directly with the refugees.

However he has now sent out a container which is expected to arrive in Athens on October 10.

Alex, who is being helped by his brother Eddie, said he had decided to take action after seeing the picture of a dead, young boy in the arms of a Turkish policeman on a beach.

“When I saw the little boy washed up on the beach it brought it home to me as we have a three-year-old son,” said Mr Thornton.

“I began to wonder how I could help and decided to organise something in the community."

Loads of clothes, shoes, tents and bedding as well as toiletries – plus 1,000 toothbrushes – have been donated.

Alex, who is commercial director at Windcare, a wind turbine and construction engineering company in Pickering, said: “We have been absolutely swamped by the generosity.

"We would like to thank everyone who had contributed and also our collection points - Yates in Malton, Pickering Surgery, BATA at Kirkbymoorside and West Ayton surgery for helping out."

Alex said around £2,300 had also been raised towards the cost of getting the items across to Europe, however with so many items pledged there was a possibility of sending a second container.

He said: "I will be going out to Athens in October to help the Salvation Army to distribute everything.

“It has developed on a far bigger scale than we thought. The help and support of the local community has been unbelievable."

Among those supporting the appeal has been Ryedale School in Nawton.

Assistant head teacher Katie Hunter, said: "We started the new academic year with a successful collection for the ongoing refugee crisis.

It has been a great effort from all involved. Hundreds of items of clothing, tents, sleeping bags, toiletries and toys were collected by all tutor groups. Our Year 11 Student Council reps helped sort, pack and load the items ready to make their way across Europe. Many thanks to everyone in the community for their donations, we are very proud to have been able to help support this important cause."

A Malton couple who are also organising collections said they had been amazed by the support they had received.

Lindsay and Ian Dade, who work at Bainbridge Funeral Directors, have foregone their holiday in the sun to take supplies to a collection point in London.

"We have had so many donations, and so many phone calls. A lady from Kirkbymoorside has offered to come with us with her van and is collecting also," she added.

"We have had donations of hand knitted scarves and hats to candles, pots/pans etc so many positive comments have come our way.

"My company have given us the use of a van, which means that we can spend more money buying toiletries to take. My work have really got behind us and supported us and of course the Gazette & Herald article has done amazing things for us."

Anyone who wishes to make a financial donation to Alex Thornton's appeal can make cheques out to WindCare Limited, South View, Yatts Road, Pickering YO18 8JN.

Donation points for Lindsay and Ian's collection are at G&M Agar Funeral Directors, South Side, Kirkbymoorside, and S C Bainbridge Funeral Directors, Princess Road, Malton. To donate, phone Lindsay, 01653 692926 or use crowdfunding.justgiving.com/refugees-calais-help