A GP is taking a busman's holiday with her family to offer medical support to refugees in Greece.

Samar Shefta, who is a partner at The Ridge Medical Centre in Cousen Road, Great Horton, is travelling to Thessaloniki next month to take much-needed aid to stranded refugees on mainland Greece because the borders to Europe have shut.

Dr Shefta, 33, has already helped out at The Jungle in Calais and more recently in Lesvos with her sister, Sitara, who joined her and will be going on the mercy mission next month.

They will also be joined by their 54-year-old mother, Rubina; father, Nasar, 62; and 17-year-old brother Usman, who is taking a gap year.

The family is appealing for cash donations so to buy food, water, blankets and other aid when they are abroad and distribute it to those who need it.

"We're a regular family from Yorkshire, but there are so many families who are vulnerable out there that we have to help.

"People are sleeping rough in freezing temperatures including lots of women and children. They are trying to survive in terrible conditions," said Dr Shefta.

"I'm proud to say that our whole family are coming to help. Conditions out there are unsanitary and distressing and we simply need to help people.

"We know we can't change the world, but we're hoping to make a few lives a little better and bring some hope to people fleeing war and persecution in what must be an unimaginably painful time in their lives.

"We're reaching out to the general public for their support. We are busy getting things ready to take but we only have limited space so we'll leave our own clothes behind when we come back and buy other good when we are out there with the money."

One of Dr Shefta's ideas is to use some of the money to provide a hot breakfast and evening meal for some of the refugees.

"When we were in Lesvos there were about 6,000 people there so we are expecting probably tens of thousands in Thessaloniki. It's going to be rough but it's far rougher for those who are stuck there," she added.

Dr Shefta will be taking her medical pack with in case her skills are needed.

"When I was out last year there were lots of children who had pneumonia, it's heartbreaking. I would check up on them, get them medication and then go back later to see how they were doing. It was like doing a ward round," she said.

Anyone who would like to make a donation can contact the family on 07882 634497 or e-mail samar.shefta2@bradford.nhs.uk.