Donations of food and supplies are pouring in at a north-east church as efforts to support Syrian refugees gather momentum.
Fraserburgh Community Church has launched an emergency relief appeal from their Grattan Place base.
The donation drive – which launched on Monday – has already collected dozens of bags of supplies including clothing, sleeping bags, tents, camping equipment and toiletries.
Last night Miriam Patterson, a member of the congregation and organiser of the appeal, said she was staggered by the generosity of the town.
“We didn’t know what would happen when we posted on social media,” she said. “So many people have shared and got in contact, it’s unbelievable.
“The people who have dropping in have been saying that they are happy they can help, they want to reach out and they’re glad the church is seeing the need. We want to do something about it.”
Miss Patterson said although the church had faced some criticism online from people questioning sending supplies overseas when there are social problems at home, the overwhelming reaction has been positive.
“The public are just descending on us with donations. Our church does a lot in the community already – I can’t see how anybody can look on sending aid to people fleeing crisis and war as a bad thing.
On the first day alone, the Fraserburgh Community Church campaign gathered 15 tents, 25 sleeping bags as well as dozens of blankets and bags of warm clothes.
At the end of the week the organisers will package the donations up and transport them directly to the Greek island of Kos.
Thousands of Syrian refugees are camped on the island after fleeing their war-torn homeland in small boats.
Greek coastguards have also picked up hundreds of refugees from capsized boats in the waters around the islands of Kos, Samos, Agathonissi and Farmakonissi.
The Fraserburgh Community Church is open for donations every morning this week between 9.30am-12pm and between 6-7pm each evening.