Alison Denham, Oz Denham-Cole, Christine Edwards and Angie, Martin and Mazey Holland, c/o Vincents Road, Kingsbridge, write:

We don’t know where to start explaining how much

our views differ from those of Penny Perrett, Gazette, November 20.

In fact, the whole desperate situation of war, terrorism, refugees and migrants is too massive and complex to discuss here. However, we want to give Juliet and her mission to aid refugees our full support and thank her and the thousands of other good people who so freely give their time, energy and expertise both locally and all over the country.

They work in coordination with the many charities; grassroots movements that have sprung up simply because those in charge of the security in this country have been seemingly inactive on this matter.

So many of us feel helpless and wish there was something we could do to alleviate the desperate suffering of children, families and yes, young men.

We are in awe of those who go beyond wishing and start organising. To name a few, there is Calais – People to People Solidarity – Action from the UK, a public Facebook group with 31,500 followers.

Calaidipedia gives detailed information about warehouse dispatches, volunteering, fundraising and a wide range of other useful groups.

This week a spare caravan that we and willing neighbours have equipped and prepared with food and made-up beds is being taken by Caravans for Calais. ‘Caravans for Syria’ would obviously be impractical and dangerous, although Caravans for Calais is expanding and going beyond Calais to places where the camps are even worse.

Next week, once it has arrived, we should be able to tell you who moved into it, if Penny Perrett is concerned that we are aiding and abetting terrorists.

We were heartened to hear that a boy’s coat that one of us donated to one of the many charities taking aid to Calais went to a seven-year-old Syrian boy. We can only hope that it keeps out the wet and four-degrees chill.