THE people of Fermanagh are being urged to “open their hearts and open their wallets” to help refugees fleeing war in their country.

Facebook page 'Fermanagh – Calais Refugee Solidarity Action' was set up yesterday (Thursday) at around 1pm.

Within seven hours it had already amassed 1,000 members.

Volunteering as the Fermanagh co - ordinator for the Northern Ireland Cork Calais Refugee Solidarity group, Roisin Campbell-McAnulty says she has been extremely overwhelmed by the response from Fermanagh over the last 24 hours.

Heartbroken by the images of the three-year-old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, whose lifeless body was washed ashore on a beach near the Turkish resort of Bodrum, she felt compelled to do something to help.

Aylan's family paid 4,000 euro for four seats on a rubber raft that was to help them escape their war-torn country and take them to the Greek Island of Kos.

Instead they paid the ultimate price when high waves overturned their boat, claiming the lives of little Aylan, his brother Galip and mother, Rehan.

The local group's main focus so far is to provide a drop off point for people to bring donations of toiletries, clothes and other essentials required by those seeking refuge in the EU.

This Saturday from 1pm until 6pm, Dylan Quinn's Dance Theatre studio, located on Henry Street in Enniskillen (beside Stuart's Auction) will be the drop off location for anyone wishing to make a difference to those affected by the refugee crisis.

High priority items which are need include: tents, men's clothes, toiletries, candles and torches, blankets and sleeping bags.

All donations will be sent to Calais and further afield to help those most in need.

For more information on how you can help, go to the Fermanagh – Calais Refugee Solidarity Group's Facebook page.