A RUNCORN church has been overwhelmed with donations following a refugee appeal for destitute Syrian families.

Food, clothes and donations have poured into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Clifton Road after The World highlighted the humanitarian campaign.

“We had an amazing response to the refugee appeal which you kindly covered in The World,” said church spokesman Irene Ireland.

“It was really heartwarming to meet so many people who wanted to help - those who had gone shopping specifically for the collection - for clothes, baby food, towels, toiletries and toys - and those who had raided their wardrobes and came laden with donations.”

Church volunteers wants to say a big thank you to everyone for their generosity and kindness.

“Many people who came said that they had been upset by the plight of the refugees and were grateful for this opportunity to help,” said Irene.

The church is working with north west based charity United to Assist Refugees UK to send aid, food and funding to refugee camps in Lebanon.

When resident Steve Moore, a haulage contractor, heard that collectors were planning to ferry all the donations to the charity’s base in Wrexham in cars, he came to the rescue.

“He offered the use of his services and a lorry to transport all of the donations in one fell swoop,” added Irene.

“When we told some ladies of ongoing projects for making blankets for the refugees, they offered to knit and crochet for our next batch.

“The tremendous response shows that there is a real desire in our community to help try and alleviate the conditions of those in camps and because of this we propose making this a monthly event.”

The Church will be open on the first Saturday of every month starting on Saturday, December 3, from 10am to noon for people to drop off unwanted clean clothing, toiletries and food items.

Baby food is urgently needed.