A MUM-of-two has taken up the mantle of helping refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria - and is urging people to play their part.

Vedia Glover is organising charity collections at her house in Overton Close, from Radcliffe, with clothes, blankets and other items being donated to the Keep Syria Warm campaign.

The donations will be sent to families in camps on the Turkey-Syria border by global humanitarian charity Ummah in Need, which last week began its appeal for items to help the millions of refugees living in tents get through the winter.

The 42-year-old, who has two sons – Joshua, aged 13, and Jacob, aged seven, said: “We have all seen the pictures coming in from Syria and Turkey recently and they have really shown the horror of what is happening out there. The story behind them, particularly the young boy who died, was just heartbreaking.

“I have known about this war for four years now and I’m wondering why we haven’t really done anything to help yet. It feels like our governments have just ignored it.

“The fact that there are so many children suffering out there really pulls at my heartstrings.

“This is a charity that I found on Facebook and it just seemed like something really accessible that can do a lot of good.

“I think they deserve as much help as we can possibly give them because we know this stuff is going to go straight to the people who really need it.”

She is encouraging friends, family members, and generous residents to drop off their donations at her home, preferably with items separated into men, women, and children, to save time at the charity’s sorting office.

Ms Glover, who owns Lilli Oliver Cupcakes, is also offering to sell boxes of cupcakes for £10 for those who want to make a contribution but do not have the time to sort out clothes to donate.

She added: “I’m very happy for people to drop their bags of clothes, bedding, and whatever else off at my house. Even toys that your children don’t play with anymore would make a child’s life a lot more bearable in one of those camps.

“The response I have had so far has been really good. I have had lots of bags left on our driveway and a good number of people I know contacting me and offering to help.

“It’s a really simple way to help. Just think of the things you would need to survive living in a tent.

“It’s a really easy thing to do that barely takes any time or effort, but will make a huge difference to people who are desperately in need."

She added: “I don’t think what I’m doing is anything out of the ordinary, I just want to do what I can to help.”

Bags of clothes, bedding, toys, or other items can be dropped off at 14 Overton Close, Radcliffe, M26 1UH.

Cash donations can be made directly to Ummah in Need, account number 73800318, sort code 20-10-71.

For more information on how and what to donate: visit facebook.com/keepsyriawarmmanchester