A REFUGEE aid group has suspended collections until it can find a new home.

The lease is about to run out on a shop in The Gill, Ulverston, used by Ulverston Refugee Support Group, so it has stopped taking donations of tents, sleeping bags and warm clothes - although cash donations are still being accepted.

A spokesman said: “If anyone knows of any shop or storage space in or around Ulverston, please get in touch via our website www.ulverstonrefugeesupport.orgor our Facebook page Ulverston Refugee Support Volunteers.

“Money can also be donated by contacting volunteers online or in Barrow it can be dropped off at John Woodcock’s office in Hartington Street.

“The refugees are suffering as winter sets in and we know there are good quality clothes and camping gear still out there, so it would be a shame if we had to stop taking them permanently, especially as we are now the last base for donations in South Cumbria.”

A depot in Kendal closed after volunteers filled an articulated lorry with donations.

New fundraising drives by the Ulverston group include shops collecting donations such as toiletries, food and health products.

The spokesman said: “This is due to the success of The Hair Gallery in Upper Brook Street, Ulverston, who are collecting toiletries.

“We hope other shops will work with us by collecting donations from their customers in the run-up to Christmas.”

The group has put on two successful fundraisers in the town - an evening of poems and songs at the Hope and Anchor and a three-band concert and art auction at The Coach House.

The next fundraising event will be a quiz night at the Old Friends, Ulverston, on November 29.