A NUMBER of fundraising events will be held to buy baby buggies for families who are detained in refugee camps.

The Buckley and Holywell-based charity Refugee Essentials North East Wales (RENEW) has organised a coffee and cake fundraiser as well as two concerts in aid of the cause.

In October 2018 one of RENEW’S volunteers, Ann Crossland, revisited the Greek island of Leros to see for herself how the situation for refugees had changed there since her three previous visits at the height of the refugee crisis in 2015.

Leros is a small island with a population of around 10,000 - a similar population to Mold - and it accommodates around 1,000 refugees.

ECHO 100+ is a registered Austrian charity, founded by a group of friends, most of them Austrians with strong ties to Greece.

International volunteers manage the activities and at Mrs Crossland's visit, there were four UK volunteers making up part of the team.

At the end of Mrs Crossland's trip, she saw a young woman walking along the roadside, back towards the camp from the town of Lakki where the nearest shops are.

The young woman was carrying a baby against her chest with her right arm, a bag of shopping in the crook of her left arm and held the hand of a small child with her left hand.

This small child walked alongside her with his arm up against his ear.

This was a very powerful sight as Mrs Crossland realised that this woman had walked with her children approximately four miles and really understood how hard that must be.

She said: “On my return home I couldn’t get this image out of my mind and decided to try to do something to help the young families in this situation.

"I contacted ECHO 100+ who confirmed that many young mothers complete this walk several times each week.

"I thought about how these families could be helped in a practical way and wondered if RENEW could provide buggies for families who needed them”.

Prohibitive shipping charges to send pre-loved buggies ruled that option out, however brand-new buggies/strollers are available to buy locally at a price of €39.99 or €49.99 each.

RENEW aims to buy 50 buggies to help the families in the refugee camps.

The first of the charity's fundraisers will be the coffee and cake event, which will take place at Cilcain Cafe from 2pm to 5pm on Saturday, February 23.

The first of the two concerts - which will take place at The Tin Shed in Treuddyn on March 9 - has now sold out.

But a second concert will be held at 7pm at Theatr Twm O'r Nant in Station Road, Denbigh, on March 23.

The lineup includes John Sellers, Sarah Davies, Alan Thompson and Linda Griffith as well as others.

Tickets cost £10, payable in advance to John Sellers on 07900 150312 or Penni Neale on 07429 128117.

Alternatively email penninealecounselling@gmail.com