It’s often in times of desperation that the best of humanity shines a light on the darkest of places. Despite the seemingly vast distance between Pembrokeshire and the ongoing struggle of the Syrian refugees, the coming together of communities has spread far and wide, even to this quiet coastal county.

Last week, the Regency Hall at Saundersfoot was host to kind members of the local community that had taken it upon themselves to start a collection of clothes and any other useful items that could be donated to Syrian refugees being placed in Wales and other centres across the UK and Europe.

The idea was brought to fruition by Joanne Ayris, of Tenby, and then managed by Emma Thomas, who was based at the Regency Hall each day of the week with an army of volunteers that included local police staff and the hall’s own resident volunteer, Lucy Coleman.

The response was beyond what anyone could have expected, with empty rooms piled high with bags all sorted into size and gender to be sent off and gifted to the refugees. So high was the overflow, that extra transportation was organised in order to cater for the monumental amount of stock gathered.

The chairman of the Regency Hall Community Centre said: “It has been really quite wonderful to watch the variety of people getting involved. What a sense of community spirit this has created; this is what the hall is here for - to support members of the local community in all manner of endeavours - this collection was exceptional.”