Numerous charities across Manchester have been welcoming Afghan refugees with open arms and supporting them thanks to a mountain of donations and tens of thousands of pounds.

Care4Calais, a charity set up six years ago to help asylum seekers in France hoping to reach Britain, has been overwhelmed with the donations.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, Care4Calais set out to collect clothes, toiletries and toys which they then drop off at the hotels where the Afghan refugees are staying. The volunteer-led charity has been working around the clock to sort the items to make sure that they go to the people who need them most.

Kelsey Overton decided to use her spare time to volunteer after seeing what was happening over in Afghanistan. She explained how she felt after seeing just how many donations the charity had received.

Donations are still being welcomed and Care4Calais have appealed for more volunteers going forward to help new arrivals settle in.

To donate clothes, shoes, phones or other essentials please go to our drop off map and click on the pin nearest to you for contact details: care4calais.org/thedropoffmap

To buy the basic essentials such as a clean change of clothes or decent shoes donate here: bit.ly/afghanwelcome

To volunteer please email [email protected]

‘Your donations make Afghan refugees feel welcome’: meet the volunteers working round the clock in Manchester