A RECORD response was triggered by the latest ‘Samara’s Aid’ appeal by Chiddingfold parish church for donations of winter clothing, footwear and bedding for thousands of refugees living in camps in northern Iraq, where temperatures plummet to well below zero.

In January 2015, the congregation of St Mary’s were stirred to action by images of conditions in the camps, with refugees wearing flip flops in the snow, circulated by Brighton mum Samara Levy, who launched the ‘Samara’s Aid’ appeal to help.

Mrs Levy invited local churches, community groups and individuals to support the appeal and Samara’s Aid has now sent 23 container lorries packed with vital supplies, in addition to ‘care packs’ for new and expectant mothers and essential medical equipment.

The village sent 40 large cartons in January 2015 and a further 72 in October following a second appeal.

The latest appeal clearly struck a chord with villagers and a huge number of boxes were loaded onto a van at the rectory last Friday. St Mary’s rector Rev Sarah Brough said: “The people of Chiddingfold have responded generously to requests for help from Samara’s Aid and a total of 82 boxes were delivered to Samara’s warehouse containing good quality clothing, footwear and bedding for those who have lost so much.

“It was a great community effort.”