Chester is acting in response to the refugee crisis.
A donation drive is being held in the city to gather aid to help those currently camped at Calais.
A vigil is also being held, organised by Amy Bonsall Redston, outside Chester Town Hall at 10am on September 5.
Two couples from Edwards Road, Chester, have organised the effort to fill a van and take it down to London as part of CalAid.
They are Al Gray, 35, an engineer, and his wife Rachel, 35, a full-time mum.
Also involved are their neighbours Cathy Pettingale, 60, a retail assistant and voluntary street pastor, and her husband Nick, 61, director of external relations at Ellesmere College.
Al said: “It’s a difficult one because you are bombarded with two sides of the argument and I don’t want to get into that.
“But after seeing the pictures of people in Calais and across the world we couldn’t just sit there and do nothing about it.”
The couples were inspired to act after seeing coverage of those trying to escape conflict in Syria.
Al said: “We all thought ‘What can we do about it?’ But that’s a difficult question to answer.
“I’m not the Prime Minister, so on a more local level helping those stuck in Calais is something I am able to achieve.”
Prime Minister David Cameron has faced increasing pressure to take in refugees after the image of three-year-old refugee Aylan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach was shown around the world.
A camp at Calais has also formed for people stuck trying to reach the UK.
CalAid are taking donations of items such as tents, sleeping bags, blankets, trainers and men’s clothing.
They are also badly in need of items such as toothpaste, soap, candles, smartphones and pots and pans.
Another collection is also taking place in Wrexham, organised by Hannah Parry-Bruce.
Al said the plan was now to allow more time to gather donations and take them to the next drop after September 6.
He added: “We’ve got to make sure that if we are collecting all these donations it goes to the right place and gets through to the people who need it.
“CalAid drops are coming up all across the country.”
Solidarity
The vigil at Chester Town Hall on Saturday is a show of solidarity with signs showing the #refugeeswelcome hashtag.
Amy, a theatre director, said: “I really thought we should do something as a city.
“It’s a way of showing solidarity, remembering the people who have lost their lives and also raising awareness.”
Those wanting to join are welcome to participate for as long as the can or the whole hour.
Amy said: “It’s very important for people to see that others do care.
“It does make a difference at a national level if the public do make a stand in a dignified way.
“This crosses the whole political spectrum and I would like to invite absolutely anyone down who wants to help.”
Any donations to the drive are appreciated.
Al said: “We’re nothing more than Chester residents who can’t bear to see the images on our TV screens.
“Our hearts are troubled and we know we can take small steps and if everyone takes a small step we can help those in need.
“Even if we only make a difference to one person’s life then it will be worth it.”
For more information on how to donate to the drive contact edwardscalaisaid@gmail.com.
There is also a Facebook page the Wrexham/Chester Calais Refugee Action Group.
