A TAVISTOCK carpenter will be packing up his tools, loading up his work van and driving down to Calais next week, in a bid to help build much needed shelters at the refugee camp there.

Self employed carpenter Andrew Noquet will be taking time out of his work in West Devon to build temporary homes for some of the refugees and undertake any other building work that is necessary, after being inspired by a recent fundraising event at the Wharf.

The event was organised by Maggi Squire, who performed, alongside others, providing an evening of entertainment. The event raised more than £800 to help the refugee crisis and provide information about the plight of the people living in the camp.

Following the event, Andrew discussed with one of the guest speakers, Hayley Kemp from Plymouth, about her previous visits to assist refugees at Calais and the great need for help there. Between them, they organised a trip from December 4 to 8, where Andrew, Hayley and one other will load up Andrew’s work truck with essential supplies and help build and repair shelters.

Andrew said: ‘The trigger point for me was Maggi’s fundraising evening. The situation in Calais is frustrating and I think lots of people feel similarly helpless in this case. But I think I can do something to help, however small it may be.’

Andrew said the last time he did something like this was around 20 years ago when he went with a group of people to help sort out orphanages in Romania.

This time, as it is a short trip, he is hoping to have an organised structure to work from so that he can get as much done in the time as possible.

‘There is a small charity organisation based there that I’m hoping will be able to give a bit of direction as to what needs to be done,’ Andrew said.

‘Like so many of my friends, I feel distressed at the world situation where millions of people find themselves displaced from their homes and their countries right now, living in terrible conditions.

‘I am frustrated at the scale and complexity of the situation and helpless to know what I can do. A visit like this won’t solve the world problem but if we can offer the hand of friendship to a small number of people and help them stay warmer and drier this winter, it is one small step. How come some folk are living in a warm, safe, comfortable home and others are living outdoors this winter?’

Andrew is looking for donations of good, clean sleeping bags, blankets, tarpaulins, hammers and hand saws to take on his trip with him. If anyone can help with these things, they can drop them off to Maggi Squire, 65 Old Exeter Road, Tavistock, before December 4.

Anyone who would like to donate funds to help, can do so via Hayley’s fundraising page www.gogetfunding.com/plymouth-calais-refugee-aid/