AN impassioned Facebook plea from a High Legh mum moved to tears by the heartbreaking image of a drowned little Syrian boy has sparked an international relief effort.

The shocking picture of three year old Aylan Kurdi, whose desperate quest for a better life ended in tragedy, dominated headlines across the world.

High Legh mum of two Rachel Hind knew she had to do more than share and comment on the horrific image she had first seen on Facebook.

She sent a message on Facebook and within minutes she had offers of clothes, tents, toys, books and toiletries destined for the 'Jungle' camp at Calais pouring in.

"Our whole community rallied. I was so grateful for the support," she said.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I expect such a response. I didn't sleep for two days. I couldn't keep up with all the endless emails, phone calls and private messages on Facebook. I told my friend: 'It's got too big. I need help.'

"A gang of local girlfriends swung into action, naming their group CISTORS (Collecting Items of Support to Transport to Overseas Refugees) to help with collections, generating support from schools and fielding requests for interviews from journalists."

Less than two weeks after first writing the post Rachel now has enough donations to fill a dozen vans, with more goods arriving each day.

Rachel, a nurse, has joined forces with a charity, Social Workers Action Network (SWAN) and is heading to Calais on October 17 to hand deliver the goods to thousands of people affected by conflict in the Middle East and Africa.

"At first I wondered what I had started," she added.

"The best I hoped for was to have enough aid to fill the boot of my car. I can't believe how generous people have been, not only with their money but with their time.

"The messages offering help keep coming."

Louise Tottle, headteacher of High Legh Primary School sent a text to parents requesting they support the cause with donations of toiletries. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, nappies, wipes and face cloths quickly piled up.

Rachel, who has two children, Louis, eight, and Ellie, five, will be joined by husband Will, 49, a company director, on the trip.

The aid, more than 250 bags of donations, will be split between the refugee camp at Calais and camps in Samos and Kos in Greece.

She now needs to secure vans to ferry the goods across the channel and is hoping local companies can help.

Anyone who could offer a 'man with a van' or even a van without a man is asked to email cheshirewombles@gmail.com

Donations still needed include toiletries, nappies, wipes, ladies sanitary products, tents, ground sheets, sleeping bags, camping equipment, torches and candles.