A TEAM of volunteers who collected and distributed aid to migrants in Calais have told of their time in The Jungle.

Thousands of men women and children are currently living in shelters without proper sanitation in 'The Jungle', after fleeing countries including Eritrea, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan.

Emma Bilson and University of York students Grace Redmore, Alex Musto, Miki White and Robyn Hillerby, spent more than a month collecting goods and money for those in need, and last weekend travelled to Calais in two cars, a truck and a van, with more than a dozen volunteers to distribute them.

York Press:

The Calais warehouse

The team split into two groups, with some loading a car with bread, fruit and bottled water at a local supermarket, and the rest spending three hours unloading and sorting donations at the Calaid warehouse.

Emma said: "We filled the truck to the brim with sleeping bags, and the van with jeans and trousers as well as toiletries. The warehouse was full of amazing people who shared their experiences with us, gave us advice and helped us distribute from the truck.

"Entering the jungle is a surreal experience. We drove through a small housing estate, down a dirt track and suddenly its like being in another country.

"We had planned for the worst scenarios, seeing images of people being surrounded, when actually it felt very relaxed. We were welcomed, the people were patient and friendly. There was an amazing sense of community and fairness."

York Press:

Approaching The Jungle

The team also toured the camp, helping to hand out about 500 sleeping bags, food and water, and said they were amazed by the atmosphere at the camp.

Emma said: "On the way back to the car people offered us tea and to join their meals, it was heart warming when people there have so little they were offering to share with us.

"Everything went so smoothly, we gave toys to some of the children in the camp. A guitar that was donated to us, went to a group of people who played it and sang with us. Although as a group we felt the sense that the people there don't need items, they need homes. They need clean running water and dry beds. As positive as our experience was, there was an undertone of sadness. No-one should have to live like that."

York Press:

Approaching The Jungle

Emma said members of the team were preparing to go back and spend longer at the camp, donating their time and assistance rather than goods, but the experience was both unexpected and moving.

She said: "We stayed in the camp for a few hours, and saw so much kindness, people who had amazing stories and senses of humour. It was humbling.

"Returning home to York that night was a very strange feeling. This experience has made me so proud of our city, we were overwhelmed by support and donations and the kindness shown by the people here was just amazing."