A LARGS charity champion has praised the community for donating hundreds of bags of clothes to Afghans in need.

School teacher Cathy Hughes decided to launch an appeal in the town after watching the heartbreaking scenes from Kabul on her TV.

Residents responded and their donations will now be given to families in need.

Cathy explained: “I was watching the situation in Afghanistan unfolding on the news. We were witnessing people in such desperate situations.

“I was horrified and it really upset me so I thought I would do something about it. I launched the collection but I never expected the response I got.”

The clothing drive was organised through the Care for Calais charity, which Cathy has volunteered for across the channel in the past, pictured.

She has praised residents for making the appeal her most successful yet in the town.

Cathy said: “One lady donated 18 bags after collecting from all her neighbours, and some people were donating three or four bags at a time.

“We had to make eight car journeys to the drop off point because we had several hundred bags, which was incredible.

“There were quite a few elderly residents who had sadly lost partners but who were delighted and inspired to donate their loved one’s belongings to the appeal.”

Cathy says the importance of the donations cannot be underestimated.

She said: “Even something as basic as new clothes will do these people the world of good, and I witnessed that myself when volunteering in Calais.

“The refugees were elated to get some new clothes instead of standing barefoot out in the rain.

“I want to say a massive thank you to everyone. I often didn’t manage to thank people face-to-face, but they are all phenomenal.”