ANTI-RACISM campaigners have launched a fundraising appeal to help refugees stranded on the coast of northern France over the winter.

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and the Care4Calais group are working together to help hundreds of refugees trapped in Calais and Dunkirk, along with others across the border in Belgium.

The refugees have fled their own countries to escape war, tyranny and hunger.

A joint statement by the two campaign groups said: “There have been police raids on their settlements year round, with harsh evictions taking place almost every day in the autumn.

“Tents have been taken or destroyed. Places where they slept have been fenced off. A cruel food ban also came into force in Calais which stopped volunteers from giving out meals.

“Refugees have been forced to use dangerous routes at the hands of ruthless smugglers to get to Britain and make the asylum claims to which they are legally entitled. At least six people died at sea this year.

“Those who get to the UK are treated no better. At least four asylum-seekers died in UK accommodation this year. The government also started using military barracks to house refugees, with reports describing the barracks in Kent as cramped and unsanitary.

“Winter has come and the refugees once again face months in cold, rain and snow with no permanent shelter. This is the hostile environment governments want to create.”

Donations will be used to buy supplies for the refugees and to operate the vehicles which deliver them. 

Volunteers have opened a warehouse from which food, clothing and other supplies are sent to France.