TALES from life on the frontline of the response to the refugee crisis on the Greek island of Samos will be shared in Launceston when aid worker Foteini Koutso­theodorou visits Cornwall at the beginning of next month.

Foteini works for Christian Aid partner Apostoli, a charitable wing of the Greek Orthodox Church, and spent ten months on Samos delivering immediate humanitarian aid including food, hygiene kits and sleeping bags to those arriving from Turkey, just 1.1km away across the Aegean Sea.

She will share her experiences of the human cost of the refugee crisis, encouraging supporters in 12 events across the South West ahead of Christian Aid Week (May 14-20), which this year will look at the charity’s work with refugees in Greece and around the world.

Over the past five years local Christian Aid groups and churches across Cornwall have raised over £260,000 during Christian Aid Week [£267,406] through events and door to door collections.

Foteini, who has a Masters degree in Sociology and focused on Migration and Ethnic Studies, originally worked as a volunteer on the island of Lesbos but was then recruited as a field officer with Apostoli to Samos as thousands of people escaped conflict in the Middle East and Afghanistan in boats.

Foteini, who is now helping to deliver Apostoli projects on mainland Greece, including providing informal education to refugee children, will speak at Launceston Central Methodist Church at 7pm, on February 1.

Launceston local organiser Trevor Cook said: “A just response to the refugee crisis and an ability to recognise our common humanity with those who have been forced to flee is a defining opportunity of our time.

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Foteini to Cornwall so that we can learn from her insight and experience and be inspired for Christian Aid Week when we all have an opportunity to give hope to those who are living in fear.

“It will be a fascinating talk, everyone is very welcome to make most of this wonderful opportunity and join us.”

For more details about Christian Aid Week visit www.caweek.org