A VOLUNTEER from Swindon who travelled to Calais last weekend has said she finds it impossible to describe the despair and suffering among the refugees she met.

Kate Linnegar, from Rodbourne, was among a contingent of 33 who made the trip along with a van loaded with much-needed supplies. Their support mission was organised by the Oxfordshire Refugee Solidarity group.

While the formal ‘jungle’ camp was dismantled with its occupants evicted and moved on last year, informal groupings of refugees are still arriving all the time, seeking help and shelter before ultimately trying to reach the UK.

Kate and her fellow volunteers spent their weekend supporting a number of the organisations who are trying to fill the support gap left since the destruction of the jungle.

On the first day, they worked in the Refugee Community Kitchen where more than 2,000 meals are distributed to refugees each day.

“There were people from all over the world chopping, cooking, washing up and bopping to the loud music playing as we worked,” said Kate. “It was fascinating to hear why and how people had ended up volunteering here. A great feeling of camaraderie and love was in the air.

“I went out on the Calais lunch time distribution and was handing out garlic bread. It was devastating to look into the eyes of fellow human beings whilst only being able to give them the most basic aid.

“Many of the refugees smiled and thanked us, trying to speak some English. I have never felt so inadequate. Some of the men looked empty and devoid of all emotion; shell shocked and utterly depressed.

“I wanted to cry but these people weren’t crying. Some of them made jokes with us. They played football after lunch to keep warm and stave off the boredom. The resilience of human beings astounds me.”

Kate described the freezing temperatures that are set to plummet still further as we edge further into winter.

“The volunteers were struggling to keep warm even with thermals, many layers of clothes, thick winter coats, gloves, hats and scarves,” she said. “I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for the refugees who were going to be sleeping out all night in that with no shelter and inadequate clothing. We had the luxury of a warm hostel, hot showers and a hot meal that evening.”

On the Sunday, some of the volunteers worked in the Care 4 Calais warehouse sorting out clothes, preparing blankets and food packs.

They travelled to nearby Dunkirk where refugees are also gathering, including some families with young children.

“They were grateful for the blankets but every one of them asked for a sleeping bag and we didn’t have any,” recalled Kate. “It was devastating not having what they needed.

“We were told that the stuff in the warehouse was only enough to last two more weeks.”

In addition to supplies, volunteers are also dwindling. Kate fears that many people mistakenly believe there are no longer any refugees in need in Calais since the jungle was dismantled.

“The refugees have not one single bit of shelter, no tents or tarpaulins. They are sleeping out in the open in the scrub land.

“The French government do not want them to establish another camp. Every day the police chase them away, taking their possessions or pepper spraying the bedding making it impossible to sleep in.”

Kate was adamant that the story of the people she met has to be told — not to seek praise for her efforts, but to raise awareness.

“It’s not about me,” she said. “It’s about these broken and abandoned human beings. About people who have been forced to flee persecution and wars. About people who have walked for months and months across Europe being beaten and brutalised all the way.

"I cannot adequately express my devastation at witnessing these things or my admiration of these resilient and brave people."

To support the organisation that Kate travelled to Calais with, you can visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/oxfordshirerefugeesolidarity