AN appeal made by a refugee support group has seen dozens of volunteers come forward to help in just a few short weeks.

More than 40 people have approached the Ulverston Refugee Support Group in anticipation of 30 Syrian refugees arriving in Furness within the next month.

An array of doctors, nurses, social workers, teachers, therapists and more have all offered their services to help those fleeing conflict in Syria.

Dave Wood, 63, of Springfield Park Road, Ulverston, said: "We're trying to get ready for the 30 people are who coming to our area and how we can support them. These are 30 people who have been really traumatised and have lost everything. They will need a range of support, from buddying up with people, community services, therapy, language schooling, anything you can think of."

In January the URSG appealed for donations to send to refugee camps in Greece where hundreds of Syrians were suffering from freezing weather and lack of food.

Mr Wood believes this appeal has contributed to the rush of support for the group before refugees arrive in the area.

Last year Cumbria County Council said it would take in 300 refugees who have fled war. Mr Wood said seeing harrowing images from war-torn Syria has brought out the best in the community.

He said: "All people, from young mothers to pensioners have got involved, it's been lovely to see."

Mr Wood is hopeful Cumbrians will embrace the refugees in the same way they did in the 1990s when people fleeing the Kosovo War arrived in the county.

"We have experience when people came from Kosovo, there was 100 Kosovans that came over, they were all in Ulverston. We hope it will be mirrored," Mr Wood said.

The group is still taking donations of clothing, food, or support from people in Furness. Visit its Facebook page for more information.

Read more:

Find out more about the Ulverston Refugee's Support Group's latest appeal for help

Read about the plans to re-home refugees in Cumbria