A first-time father moved by the photo of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach has started a petition calling on Wandsworth Council to find homes for 10 refugee families.
Tom Baker, 33, thought of his seven-month-old son Ralph when he saw the photo of Aylan published in newspapers around the world after he drowned with his brother and mother as they tried to escape war-torn Syria to reach Greece by boat.
Mr Baker, a charity campaigns co-ordinator from Bedford Hill in Balham, said: "I think the photo of the little boy and the father returning to Syria made me think they must have been so desperate to leave and go on the boat.
"I think anyone who's a parent couldn't fail to be moved by that because it just brings it home.
"I felt quite helpless but I think doing something in our local community and helping just feels likes something we should be doing."
Nearly 400 people have already signed Mr Baker's petition on 38degrees.org.uk calling on the council to find homes for "at least 10" refugee families.
Council leader Ravi Govindia said: “Wandsworth is ready to play its part and we are waiting for details from the Home Office on the role local councils will be asked to play in helping the victims of this appalling crisis.”
On Monday, Prime Minister David Cameron announced the Government would work with councils to find homes for 20,000 more refugees over the next five years. But critics say it is not enough.
Scott Illman, 41, who owns The Bedford Pub in Balham, said: "I think if every town in England could take in 10 families a year we could take up to 100,000 refugees rather than 20,000. I don't think 20,000 is enough."
The pub owner and father-of-one has accepted enough donations of supplies for refugees camped in Calais to fill a 2,000 sq foot room.
Community spirit: Staff at The Bedford pub in Balham with bags of clothes donated by customers
The Bedford launched an appeal for donations last week and is working with charity Calais Action to get the donations delivered across the Channel.
He said: "I just don't want to see suffering. That's the more important thing. Everyone who's been dropping things off has said just let me know if you want any help sorting out the donations. It's just been a really positive community effort."
Sign Mr Baker's petition for Wandsworth Council to accept more refugees at 38 degrees.
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