Group took action in efforts to help Syrian refugees

A group of Tipton St John Primary School pupils were so moved by the plight of overseas refugees, they took it upon themselves to take action.

Amber Hunt, Amelie Serino and Nancy Smith, of year four, along with year six students Elowen Hunt and Bea Austin-Broadley, heard about the crisis of families forced to flee their war-torn homes and pledged to do something to help.

The girls have been described as ‘inspirational’ for the work they have done - giving up free time to organise a collection of essential items to be sent to refugee camps in Calais and doing a presentation in front of the whole school.

Teacher Ruth Ingrouille said: “They came to me in September and said they had heard about the refugee crisis and wanted to do something to help. They wanted to do more than just give money.”

She explained the group wrote a letter to East Devon district councillor Matt Booth, who had visited refugee camps and could advise on the best ways to help.

Miss Ingrouille added: “It has been very self-initiating – it was them that came to me. It is something that we do encourage as a school – it feeds into the values that we instil in students.

“I’m just excited that they have been able to carry out their ideas and Matt has been able to support it.”

Cllr Booth said: “The images that we are all seeing on our televisions of the plight of refugees are incredibly distressing. It is very easy to feel powerless and that nothing you can do will make a difference.

“The response of the children at Tipton St John Primary School is truly fantastic and an inspiration to us all. They wanted to organise a collection and approached me, through their teacher, to go into the school and talk to them more about the plight of refugees and the best and most useful goods to be donated. I will help them to ensure that the items they collect get to the right people to be sent out to the refugee camps.”

The collection took place at the school on Tuesday (March 22).