The Vicar of Watford and a former head teacher undertook a mission to take vital supplies to the Calais “jungle” refugee camp.

Rev Tony Rindl and former Watford Grammar School for Girls head mistress Dame Helen Hyde took a large consignment of tents, clothes, toiletries and food to the camp where they are urgently needed.

Working through the long established Catholic aid agency Caritas, the humanitarian journey set off on Thursday October 20, and has been organised by the newly formed Watford-based organisation Refugees to Recovery, founded earlier this year by Rev Rindl and Dame Helen, themselves the children of refugees. 

Upon his return to the UK, Rev Rindl said it was difficult to put the experience into words but described simple acts of kindness shown to him at the camp.

“It is a privilege to be working alongside Dame Helen with her knowledge and influence. I have been astounded by the generosity and good will of the people of Watford,” he added.

“Behind the negative headlines against immigrants, there are lots of compassionate people in Watford wanting to help their fellow human beings.

“When chatting to my father, who was himself a refugee fleeing Austria in 1939, and telling him I intended to go to Calais, he simply replied ‘you must do this’.”

Discussing the plight of refugees around the world, they decided that they could not be bystanders and do nothing, and so Refugees to Recovery was born. 

At the outset, the pair were uncertain what their response might be but knew that their skills in education and community work would be useful.  They agreed to pool their skills and spheres of influence, inviting others to join them in responding in whatever way they could to the crisis.