When Fife woman Sarah Neal saw the photographs of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi lying lifeless on a Turkish shore, she couldn’t help but imagine it being her baby.
Now, alongside her local MP Roger Mullin, she is spearheading a campaign to allow caring families to look after refugees when they arrive in Britain.
Sarah has room in the Aberdour home she lives in with husband Graham and 19-month-old child Jamie to help those in need but, according to the House of Commons Library, there is no UK Government scheme in place to allow such a show of kindness.
She said: “We have a large spare room and we want to use it to offer to a family.
“We have a 19-month-old and were so distressed to see the pictures of Aylan Kurdi.
“We have room in Scotland.
“Our little boy is called Jamie, and just the thought of him being washed up on beaches when people like us could put them up until they get back on their feetthis is one mum trying to reach out to another mum.
“It’s not enough to post the picture.
“We need to open our homes.”
SNP Kirkcaldy representative Mr Mullin has now written to Home Secretary Theresa May after a few dozen constituents approached him asking how they could rescue and receive adults and children.
In his correspondence, he said: “Given the very urgent humanitarian crisis, I would encourage you to set up the means to receive more refugees and to consider including in any scheme the means to allow suitable individuals and families to receive refugees.”
Ms Neal said Edinburgh Direct Aid are sending winter supplies to Syrian refugees and need warm scarves, socks, gloves, wellies, nappies and other supplies.
Drop off is at West Harbour Road in Edinburgh on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 11am and 3pm.