" I am very humbled and honored that friends and colleagues sponsored money for me to spend on this trip into the unknown. I wanted to go with a plan to help the helpers, do what I could to help those who have just come to Samos to help the refugees and those lovely locals who have to deal with the problems on a daily basis." .....Day 4/5 from 'Handy Andy' Andrew Parkes.

This morning the rain was heavy. The team had been handing out hundreds of ponchos.

There was a ferry leaving today so many people were looking for bags and backpacks to move on. It’s difficult to try and help families carry their belongings while trying to manage their families.

We went to the warehouse to look for backpacks, there were none so we decided to set off for town to buy some. Paulo has been there a couple of weeks and suggested it was a good way to spend some money to help them on their way, so 120e later we had done a deal at the store in town for 10 45l backpacks.

Within an hour they would be on someone's back heading across Europe.

If you are thinking of sending stuff it is much better to purchase stuff within the Greek Islands when you cab see exactly what they have and what's needed & respond to that need.

You would not believe the volume of donated clothing! That said shoes size 41 is always running out, or ladies underwear is not available for a couple of days. So a purchase of the correct sort/size from a local shop is a really good idea.

Anyway back packs gone I went to collect the wood I had ordered cut from the 'Travis' in Samos. On the way I called in with MSF and with the help of head of logistics I was given an extra sheet of ply and some off cuts.

To say I blagged them is incorrect, they are amazing but a large NGO and the supplies are counted in and out. They are really happy to help but have processes to follow. They are getting 4 fan heaters and 15 shelving racks for the warehouse but they will take 2 weeks to arrive. They have been loaning their staff to the volunteer team to sort clothes at the warehouse. Most days a squad of 6 would turn up and help. One of the guys - Bill was built like a brick shithouse and used to be in construction on the island before the financial problems. I used his muscles on a few occasions to help me move the table carcasses into position and do a few jobs to help.

So now with a van full of timber I got to the warehouse at midday & started the summer clothes sorting room tables. With the extra sheet I was able to add another table. The other volunteers at the warehouse (Vicky from Brighton, Melinda from Indiana, Nalin from Switzerland and Caroline from Cornwall) were all sorting clothes and washing shoes. I banged, screwed and indulged my practical self and 3 hours later had finished the room.

Before I could sit & take stock a couple of young German guys arrived in a car with three boxes in it. They asked if I could assist with the van to speed up the process of moving boxes of summer clothes from two other storage locations in town. Sure thing off we went.

So in a shop in town (it was just a mass of boxes, crutches, toys, medicines etc) was Elena sorting shoving and preparing. Elena is the person who started caring for the refugees about 8 months ago and organising the whole islands reaction. I cannot begin to describe what she has managed to achieve, a true force of nature and incredible spirit.

We fill the van, go to warehouse unload the van, and repeat twice, about 100 or so boxes of toys and clothes. Then we need to go and move more summer clothes from another sorting warehouse (where the local volunteers have been doing this from the start). Another 3 loads of boxes and one load left in the van for the morning. It's 9pm and the summer room at the warehouse is full of boxes, just hours after it was finished!

So we all went for some food to have some laughs, and de stress time, learn more about each other’s lives at home and reasons for coming to help.

I delivered Elena home at 2am after a wonderful local tapas meal, and some wine....

This morning I delivered my final load to the warehouse, took stuff to the cabin at the port, saw most of the guys from the night before and said goodbyes.

Then went to the hostel to meet with Valentina, and wonderful Sicilian born girl from Hackney. She is a volunteer who has stayed heads up the volunteers.

She is helping Elena create the systems, and keep the peace among volunteers the police, NGOs, rescue services, port authorities. One of frankest, funniest, loveliest little Italians I have met.

To end my trip I set off with another volunteer for a few hours to go on a little sightseeing trip. We went to see a lagoon very near the sea where beautiful pink flamingos live! They were amazing to see. Then across the road is a beach and beyond that about 2 miles across the water is Turkey. It is seriously close and looks swimmable, but both sides are military lookouts & therefore prevents refuges from crossing.

Scattered along the white stoney beach is the odd life vest dotted. With ‘Yamaha’ on the back. They look ‘official’ and ‘sea worthy’ but on closer inspection when spilt open they are full of plastic sh*t that would never keep you afloat, they are fakes - all of them. Just another terrible thing the refugees have no idea about when they pay 4000 euros to cross a tiny bit of sea guaranteed ‘safe’ passage.

Then lunch in the beautiful port of Pythagoris (yes! - where Pythagoris comes from).

Then home, via a plane, lucky me...

I am very humbled and honored that friends and colleagues sponsored money for me to spend on this trip into to the unknown. I wanted to go with a plan to help the helpers, do what I could to help those who have just come to Samos to help the refugees and those lovely locals who have to deal with the problems on a daily basis.

I feel I should give an account of what I used it for.

I paid for my flights and accommodation.

4 days van hire
Fuel
Timber
Brackets
2 fan heaters
Drill,
Saw,
Assorted tools,
Fixings
Food for the volunteers
20 backpacks, for refugees with families
Petty cash for the hostel to help with the cost of bunk beds.

With my hands… I left

* A new shoe drying room,
* A summer clothes sorting room,
* A wheeled trolley made out of a borrowed bin,
* Some full stomachs for volunteers
* A full stocked toolbox for the next volunteer to rock up wanting to help.
* And of course some refugees with a backpack to carry their possessions in.

There maybe some money left that you kind folks have donated.

This being the case I would recommend that this be given to Calais Action, a charity which helps volunteers in the areas where they are needed.

If you want to help, a great way is to give the gift of your time and caring hands. It is massively rewarding.

You won't be plucking people from ultimate peril at sea, but you will be lending a hand in the process of helping desperate people in their journey and the Islanders who can't just up and leave their daily lives to assist with the refugee crisis on their doorstep.

Sponsoring a volunteer to go is a great idea. So thank you everyone for giving me the opportunity to give and lend practical help at a time when it is sorely needed.

Thanks again for the support, the refugee problems are not over they have only just begun....