AN appeal for items for stranded refugees in Calais to help them rebuild their lives has had a huge response in Hook Norton.

Friends Vanessa Porter and Sami Newman, who both live in the village, set up CalAid OX15 as an offshoot of the CalAid charity in August after seeing coverage of the crisis on television.

On Sunday they held a collection at Hook Norton Library and received bags of DIY tools including saws, screwdrivers and drills to be used for making bed platforms and other permanent structures.

They also collected 189 teddy bears from Hook Norton Primary School, each with a message for refugees written by the children.

Mrs Newman, 38, said: “Everyone has been so helpful so far. The main reason we are doing this is because there is a humanitarian crisis and people have responded to that.”

The pair have also had two caravans donated, which will be used as medical facilities and volunteer accommodation.