AN APPEAL which went out for the donation of items to help Afghan refugees soon to arrive in the South West has gone on hold after an overwhelming response from local people.

The Aid Redistribution Centre (ARC) is working alongside Plymouth City Council and other organisations to support the relocation effort.

Councils in the region have agreed to welcome a number of refugees following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan.

The Government’s Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme will mean the UK is looking to allow 5,000 Afghans to settle this year.

The number will rise to 20,000 in the long term but the priority for now, says the Government, is to help women and children as well as other minorities.

The ARC had put a call out for clothing, shoes, bedding, sanitary and dental products, kitchenware and phones and received a massive response to the appeal.

A spokesperson for The ARC said: “The Afghan appeal is currently on hold due to the overwhelming support of our ocean city.

“This will give our volunteer team time to sort, box and label the current donations. Thank you for the support, if other items are needed please keep an eye out for our updates, via Facebook and our website.”

For more information and to find out how to donate in alternative ways visit www.thearcplymouth.co.uk