THE plight of refugees escaping Syria has touched the hearts of many- including a group from Ross-on-Wye who are rallying to help them.

The horrifying pictures of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi lying dead on a Turkish beach prompted an outcry across the world yesterday.

Hundreds of thousands of Britons have signed a petition urging David Cameron to take more Syrian refugees.

And Ruth Worgan and Gemma Jones from Ross wanted to do their bit.

They started a page on Facebook yesterday called Ross for refugees and it has already received 250 likes.

A meeting has been planned for Monday to discuss their plan of action to help refugees from Syria and from other countries.

Ms Worgan said: "It actually arose from a conversation I was having with a friend and I said, 'Wouldn't it be great if we could do something locally.' After setting up the page we have had a huge response."

Ms Jones and her family have been involved with aid work in the past.

They want to take donations of shoes, tents, sleeping bags, tinned food, rice and cooking oil to Calais to the camp housing 5,000 migrants and refugees.

They will also need donations for fuel and ferry tickets.

They have arranged a meeting for Monday from 1 to 2.30pm at The Friends Meeting House in Brampton Street, Ross. All welcome to attend.

To view the Facebook page click here.