People at St James’ Woodside in Horsforth have loaded around 14 tonnes of winter clothes and supplies into lorries for the second Leedsto Iraq appeal which has just got under way.
The donations will go first to St Luke’s Holbeck, who have organised the appeal, and will then go on to northern Iraq, where 1.5m refugees have fled from 'Islamic State' fighting.
Vicar of St James, the Revd Richard Dimery, says, “The generosity of those who've donated is astounding - from the church, the community and local schools.
“We've sent some supplies to Calais, but people don’t always realise just how many people are suffering in Iraq. Of the 1.5m refugees, around 100,00 are children and 116,000 are pregnant women.
“With temperatures hitting -20 degrees this winter, and many of the refugees from the deserts in the south, these warm clothes are saving lives.”
Donations of clothes and care packs for pregnant mothers and newborns are particularly being sought.
The Leeds2Iraq appeal continues until 17 October.