PEOPLE “outraged” by the government’s reaction to the humanitarian crisis in Calais are today driving a convoy of cars filled with donated daily essentials to France.

Campaigners and supporters of Stand Up to Racism are making the journey in vehicles so jam-packed with bags of donations, there is barely any space for non-driving volunteers.

The donated goods include clothing, bedding, tarpaulins for shelter, books for the small library, children’s toys and carpets for the worship tents.

One woman even bought all the sanitary products on display in a supermarket so that they can be distributed across the camp, according to organiser Maz Saleem.

Ms Saleem, a Unite Against Fascism activist, has tirelessly campaigned against racism since her father Mohammed Saleem, 82, was stabbed to death by a self-confessed Islamophobe on his way home from a mosque in Birmingham two years ago.

She added: “Students, trade union members and people who are outraged with how the government handled the migrant crisis are joining us.

“We will listen to the migrants’ stories, if they want to talk, as there are many people who are upset about their situation and the conditions in Calais.

“We want to show solidarity and that we want them in Britain.”

Helpers collected £6,000 in total, much of it from their own fundraising pages, and the amount will be split between two French charities helping the refugees.

Le Secours Catholique will be handed responsibility for storing the bags of donations and distributing them evenly.

L’Auberge des Migrants will be given the other half of the cash to continue dishing out meals to people, most of whom have travelled from war-torn areas such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kurdistan, Palestine and Syria or are fleeing political persecution in repressive states such as Eritrea and Sudan.

Donations are still welcome, Ms Saleem said, as a second convoy is planned for October 17. She wants to “get out to Calais” as much as possible, so she will also spend a weekend there later this month.

The drivers will meet in Folkestone, in the car park of the Tesco supermarket in Cheriton High Street, at 9.30am to catch the Le Shuttle service.