to think that I could take a van to Calais?

[NotTodaySatan]

I've spent the morning with a local grassroots organisation packing up two vans that are now en route to Calais.

It doesn't feel like I'm doing enough. As the colder weather approaches the living conditions of these 4,000 people are going to get worse and worse.

Ideally I'd like to help the children already in Greece (and have donated to charities helping them) but it's not feasible to drive there.

I was going to to speak to the Head of my DD's school at pick up today and ask if I can establish a donation point at school. I would also set up a FB page to raise awareness and approach local papers/radio to try and get a mention. I would also, of course, pester local MNers for anything they could donate .

Have already checked and the van hire would be pretty affordable. I've been driving for 17 years without so much as a bump so am confident on that front.

Am I BU and/or insane?

In case you are still wondering what the UK's responsibility is in all this

I saw something about smartphones and thought of this thread, where they were mentioned.

Here is why migrants and refugees need smartphones: www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/smartphones-vital-to-syrian-refugees

CalAid have put out a notice today asking only those with pre planned ( with those on the ground) drops to make the journey to bring donations for the time being. The response has been so great that there is now a bottleneck with donations, causing problems in distribution. So best to link in with existing organisations to make sure the effort is coordinated.