FRIENDS from Penarth are calling on the town to help them as they raise money and volunteer to help refugees in France.

Sarah Chick and Amy da Silva both work as radiographers at University Hospital Llandough.

Last year they ran 100km in the Thames Path Challenge for the charity Hand in Hand for Syria as well as for Cancer Research UK.

This time round, the pair wanted to do something "more practical" to help refugees through volunteering as well as raising money and collecting donated items and they are calling on Penarth to get behind them.

They had the idea to go to Calais in France to help the refugees in the camps to see the situation for themselves and do what they can.

It is a subject which Ms Da Silva says she is "passionate" about.

Through the charity, Refugee Help, they aim to raise as much money and gather as many "in need" items.

These include baby wipes, sanitary towels, razors and shaving cream, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, socks and underwear.

They will be heading to France on Friday, May 13 to help in the camp and work in the One Spirit Ashram kitchen.

They will be volunteering there until Monday, May 16.

The original kitchen which is part run by refugees themselves has been destroyed twice but has come back to provide food for refugees.

Ms Da Silva said: "We will be helping to get things sorted and distributed which can be a challenge.

"We would like this to be something the town can get behind and offer their support."

The cost of the trip is being sponsored by Peekaboo Baby, a local company which Ms Chick works for specialising in baby scans.

Peekaboo will be hosting collections of "needed" items on Saturday, May 7 between 10am-1pm, Monday, May 9 between 5.30pm-7.30pm and Thursday, May 12 from 5.30-7.30pm.

The final deadline for donations is May 12 as they will have to organise what they collect before they travel.

For more details, email request@peekaboobabyscan.co.uk or call 07973613356.

To donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com/calais-trip.