text: I am taken aback by the negativity and ignorance on here from some contributors. Where is your humanity? How can you say, in all conscience, that we should not donate to help the refugees? I say, 'there but for the grace of God, go I' and I would hope, were I in their tragic situation, that kindness would prompt good people to help me and my family. Before you say to me that we should help our own first, I have done that, am doing that and will continue to do that in what ever way possible. I mention what follows purely to illustrate that I am not ignoring the need that exists here in this country. I am not blowing my own trumpet and I don't care what you think about me. I don't have a lot of money but I work and volunteer (including previously working for a homeless charity - my way of helping since I cannot donate huge cash amounts). I try to meet need where I find it in a small way. I have donated a gift filled shoe box for an elderly person in need; I am collecting tins of Christmas food for a food bank. I made a small donation to this collection - because it broke my heart watching the faces of the people struggling out of the sea and hearing their stories of people dying around them, and seeing the body of a little boy on the beach. Many of you sound angry. Anger is driven by fear. I'm frightened too - of the mess we're in here and in Syria and what might happen - but I will not let my fear turn me into someone who is incapable of helping others in desperate need - of what ever race or religion. The human need comes first for me, the religion and race are not relevant.