A GROUP has been formed in West Dunbartonshire to raise cash for refugees and to help welcome any Syrians who may end up housed in this area.

West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees held its first meeting last Monday night in St Augustine’s Hall, Dumbarton.

The gathering was attended by various West Dunbartonshire councillors, including council leader Martin Rooney, and those attending discussed donating money to two chosen charities, Edinburgh Direct Aid and Migrant Offshore Aid Station.

A spokeswoman for West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees said: “In response to the awful crisis we are seeing daily on our television screens local people have come together to organise support for any refugees who come to settle in West Dumbarton and to raise financial support for two charities who are currently working successfully on the front line. We are pleased to say that councillors from all the political parties attended our event as well as many local non aligned people who want to do whatever we can to end the misery we are witnessing “There are very many ways to get involved and to raise money. There shall be 24 hr cycle rides, coffee mornings and an open day of stalls and information followed by a social evening.

“We want to be able to offer these families a very warm welcome and shall be working with local groups and people to try to ensure this.” For more information visit the Facebook page 'West Dunbartonshire Supports Refugees’. The organisation can also be contacted by e-mail at wdsrinfo@gmail.com.