A police detective has joined the urgent appeal to help refugees.

Simon Marshall, who is based in Huddersfield, has set up his own project, through which he hopes to travel to Calais with community donations to help those who have fled their homes in terror due to ongoing wars.

Simon, 33, was driven to do something to help those stuck in camps in Calais after becoming sick of anti-refugee comments on social media and set up a crowd funding project called Operation Calais: Humanity Restored to raise money to enable him to take two vans across the channel.

“I’d seen negative and objectionable posts from people so wanted to do something compassionate by putting myself to good use to show that there are people who want to help”, said Simon.

Huddersfield police detective Simon Marshall, who is behind the Operation Calais: Humanity Restored drive to donate essential items to refugees
Huddersfield police detective Simon Marshall, who is behind the Operation Calais: Humanity Restored drive to donate essential items to refugees

“I didn’t want to sit back and do nothing or wait until someone in authority did because we could just keep on waiting.

“My colleagues have been supportive but this is something I’m doing independently from the police.”

READ: The whole world should help these people: Syrian refugees living in Huddersfield on the crisis

He quickly surpassed the £300 total he needs to make the trip and set up a Facebook group of the same name to enable people to get in touch with him about donations.

Amongst the items Simon would like people to donate are tinned and longlife food, camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags, personal items, basic first aid kits, men’s clothing and cooking equipment.

Calais Eurotunnel refugees Inside the camp near the ferry port known as the Jungle.

“I thought it was just going to be a small thing but it’s snowballed and since making the group I’ve had people contacting me from across West Yorkshire and beyond who want to donate but can’t find anyone local to make the trip.

“I’m now trying to establish local drop off points in Huddersfield, Leeds and Wakefield and intend to take everything to a Catholic church in Calais who will be able to distribute the donations.

More pictures from the camps at Calais below.

“I’m trying to link in with other local groups and people who will be making deliveries, such as the Carlile Institute in Meltham to find out more about the process and because as a group we can do things a lot better.”

MORE: Kirklees Council pledge to offer 'safe haven' to desperate refugees

Anyone who would like to make a donation or offer support to Simon’s trip should contact him through the Facebook page, which can be found by searching for Operation Calais: Humanity Restored.