March in Bristol to highlight refugee crisis

Around 4 thousand people marched through central Bristol today to highlight the refugee crisis.

Thousands of people, particularly from Syria, are in camps waiting for asylum.

Bristol calls itself a 'city of sanctuary.' Those marching today say they're hoping to pressurise the Government into allowing more refugees into the country.

ITV's Rob Murphy went along to the protest.

Bristol's elected mayor has said he will open his own home to refugees.

George Ferguson says he is proud of the way people living in the city have supported the migrant crisis. But he is also warning a long term sustainable solution is what's needed:

As donations flood in at collection points across the South West, here are a list of drop-off points. People are being asked to donate camping equipment, food and clothes:

Bristol

Tobacco Factory, Raleigh Rd, Southville

The Henbury Centre, Machin Road, Henbury

Emmaus Bristol, Upper York Street, St Pauls, Bristol

Bath

Walcot Self Storage, 6-10 rear of Kensington Place, Bath

Wiltshire

15 Dark Lane, Malmesbury

For Swindon, contact Swindon-Calais Solidarity via Facebook

Gloucestershire

Trainspotters, Industrial Lighting & Salvage, Libby's Drive off Slad Road, Stroud

Somerset

Somerset Youth Volunteering, Silver Street, Glastonbury

Communities have rallied across the UK in support of the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing war in Syria, with donations of clothes and supplies piling high.

At a car dealership in Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire, manager James Ball began a Facebook page on Thursday calling for people to bring in any items they could.

Within just a few days, they have had to sign over an entire room to the piles of goods being brought in.

He told ITV News he had been overwhelmed by the strength of feeling within the local community - and said he believed the death of toddler Aylan Kurdi had been the catalyst for the response.

Meanwhile Shale Ahmed, who works at a fast food shop in Lozells, Birmingham, said the refugee crisis had been a hot topic of conversation among staff and customers for weeks.

Many people had told him they would be willing to house refugees themselves if needs be, he added, with the sentiment being that the situation in Syria had simply gone on for too long.

Volunteers at a luxury car showroom in South Gloucestershire are sorting through bags of donations for refugees from Syria.

Space has been cleared alongside Aston Martins and Bentleys at the Rounceval Carriage Company showroom in Chipping Sodbury, where staff and volunteers have been overwhelmed by public support.

One donor described how she gave up her Friday night takeaway to buy provisions to help in the refugee crisis.

The six collection centres across Bristol have been overwhelmed and are shut for the time being.

All the goods which have come to the warehouse in Hengrove, Britsol, are being sorted and then will be distributed in Calais through a partner organisation.

A warehouse in south Bristol has become central to the city's refugee effort.

Thousands of people have been donating clothes, tents and food to the charity 'Calais Refugee Solidarity Bristol' and last night it secured a warehouse to store everything.

This morning volunteers have been organising the supplies so they can be sent to Calais:

As donations flood in across the South West to help refugees travelling into Europe, how far would you be willing to go to help?

Last week, David Cameron bowed to public demand, sparked by shocking images published by the media, and announced that the UK will open it's doors to thousands more refugees.

But, would you be willing to give your spare room to a refugee?

Please comment on our Facebook Page

A Bristol refugee charity - which was only set up last week - has secured a warehouse to store all the donations it's received.

Calais Refugee Solidarity Bristol tweeted last night that they had secured the storage space.

It comes after thousands of people donated their belongings to the refugees over the weekend.