A group of Chester mums is organising a Christmas party for children to raise funds to help refugees in Europe fleeing war in their own country.

After attending the Refugees Welcome demonstrations in Chester city centre, Ilmarie Braun has joined forces with Mums in the Know editor Jennie Stevenson to organise the event in Hoole on Friday.

The party is for preschool children and toddlers and promises lots of festive crafts and entertainment.

As well as the opportunity to create wooden tree decorations to take away, ice biscuits and decorate fir cones, there will also be free sessions from Rhythm Time music and A-Star Sports, as well as an appearance by the Snow Sisters from Your Party Princess.

Parents and carers wanting to do some last minute Christmas shopping will be able to browse stalls including food, gifts and sweet treats, and there will also be a lucky dip, tombola, free hot drinks for the adults and plenty of homemade cake!

A group of Chester mums is organising a fundraising event to send aid to refugees in Europe fleeing war in their own country

Businesses including Puddle Ducks, VAIN, the Crocky Trail, Molton Brown, Daisy Foundation, Chester Boot Camp, Chester Boat, Barlounge, Manley Mere, Hough Green Clinic and Blissed Out Mama have all donated raffle prizes.

All funds raised from the event will go to Wrexham-based organisation United to Assist Refugees UK.

Jennie said “It it is absolutely heartbreaking seeing the photographs and hearing the stories of people who have been forced to leave their lives, homes and families behind and make this dangerous journey.

“There is no other reason why my children should be tucked up safe and warm while others risk their lives at sea or wait for hours in the rain and mud at border crossings other than sheer luck – the only thing that separates us and them is that we were lucky enough to be born into a safe, stable country and they weren’t.

“As parents of young children, unfortunately it isn’t practical for us to travel to France or Greece to volunteer, so this is our small way of doing what we can to help.”

A group of Chester mums is organising a fundraising event to send aid to refugees in Europe fleeing war in their own country

Attendees will also be able to drop off donations of warm clothing, sleeping bags, blankets and other aid to be sorted and shipped to where it is needed using the funds raised from the event.

The following items are also required: clothes: warm coats and jackets (fleece/warm/waterproof); warm hats, gloves and scarves; warm kids’ sleepsuits; jumpers; shoes; packs of adult socks (new); packs of underwear (new, all sizes); waterproof ponchos; small rucksacks/day packs, LED head torches, fleece blankets, foil blankets, sleeping bags including kids’ sleeping bags; nappies (all sizes), sanitary towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes, oral rehydration sachets, paracetamol and calpol, cough medicine; cereal bars (no chocolate), kids’ colouring books and crayons

The Create & Donate Christmas Craft Party is on Friday, December 18 from 10am-12.15pm at All Saints Church Centre in Hoole.