MEDICAL staff from South Cumbria are on a humanitarian mission to provide emergency treatment to Syrian refugees arriving on a Greek Island. 

Doctor Sheelagh Donnelly and nurse Kay Wilson from Duddon Valley Medical Practice, in Kirkby, are in Lesbos, treating refugees arriving on the island by sea.

Lesbos is understood to be receiving thousands of refugees a day who have travelled across the narrow strait from Turkey in small inflatable boats. 

Boats are overcrowded, and harrowingly some refugees are having to be pulled out of the sea, and others are tragically drowning. 

Once they reach the shore they have a 45km walk to the refugee camp, known as Moria, in the town of Mytilene. 

Dr Donnelly and Mrs Wilson are part of a small group of North West volunteers who have decided to respond to the refugee crisis in Europe, by taking annual leave and travelling to Lesbos at their own expense.

They are assisting the efforts of British couple, Eric and Philippa Kempson who have been helping the refugees for months and have been desperate for medical help.

Dr Donnelly and Mrs Wilson are in Lesbos this week, then Doctor Andrew Wilson from the surgery will be going out to Lesbos for a week in January. They are working with Glasgow-based refugee charity, Positive Action in Housing, who are coordinating the small numbers of UK doctors, nurses and general volunteers on the ground, inspired by the actions the Kempson family.

Dr Wilson said: "This is the 21st Century and this is Europe and people are dying on these boats.

"This is a humanitarian crisis which is on our doorstep in Europe, this is why we felt so moved to do something."     

The Kirkby surgery has helped to raise around £2,000 to pay for medical supplies. There is also a wishlist for blankets and other supplies. 

Dr Wilson thanked all those who have helped out so far.

He said there was boxes full of items donated to help the refugees.    

Details of how to help can be found through the website www.helpanyway.com/lesbos