Refugee crisis: Governments don't have a plan - so we must do our bit, Caitlin Moran tells ITV News
By Natalia Jorquera and Jamie Roberton: ITV News
Governments are not doing enough to help desperate refugees so ordinary people must do their "bit" to stop the suffering, columnist Caitlin Moran has said.
In an impassioned interview with ITV News, Moran and her husband - broadcaster and rock critic Pete Paphides - explained how the harrowing images of drowned toddler Aylan Kurdi prompted them to do something to help.
"Rather than drive a van down to Calais - let's do something bigger," Moran, 40, said, "we're reaching a crisis point now - this is the biggest humanitarian refugee crisis in history."
So they decided to spearhead a major fundraising project with Save The Children.
The couple have helped produce a short film - featuring award-winning actor Benedict Cumberbatch - and re-released Crowded House's 16-year-old ballad 'Help is Coming' as a charity single.
Moran said there did not seem to be "any organisation or plan" from leaders to help the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing war-torn Syria.
"We're just like 'if governments aren't going to do anything about it let's just do the bit we can - let's put people in tents; let's get people fed; let's get some money to the agencies on the ground and our chosen charity Save The Children."
Moran also revealed that Cumberbatch - who is currently starring as Hamlet in the West End - unexpectedly spoke to the audience during a performance last night about the crisis before taking a collection bucket round - raising more than £4,000 in the process.
"Everyone has been absolutely incredible," Moran said about the reaction to the couple's efforts.
"It's trending worldwide; it's in the top 30; we've had James Corden, Nigella Lawson and Coldplay tweeting about it - it's been incredible."
She insisted "expensive" military action in Syria was not the answer to the crisis as she called for more practical help.
"If we gave aid instead and helped people get to their final destinations it's going to cost far less than military intervention," she argued.
Crowded House's Neil Finn and Capitol Records have announced they will donate all of their royalties and proceeds from the track to Save The Children.
The song will be available to download and to buy on vinyl.