Rosie Johnson, Wiveliscombe, and Lily Stephenson, Plymouth, are providing help to refugees by serving tea

Rosie Johnson, 22, and her friend Lily Stephenson, 26, from Plymouth, will be embarking on a journey on Wednesday morning to show solidarity with the refugees.

The pair have already spent four months at a refugee camp on Greek island Chios, until one stormy day left them feeling like they wanted to give more.

Miss Stephenson was at the camp when the storm hit, she saw someone struggling and soaking wet and thought she just wanted to give him a cup of tea.

The next day, a friend of theirs called and offered the services of a catering truck, and the idea of the tea-delivery service was born.

They both spent summers working at the Tiny Tea Tent at festivals across the country, so they know the importance of a nice cup of tea.

Miss Johnson said: "It all fell into place really spookily.

"We will be gone for six months and then we will come back and sort the insurance out so we can go back out.

"We are using our own savings to feed ourselves and everyone has been so generous donating money so we can buy the supplies.

"We have a group of people continuing to host fundraisers in Wiveliscombe, everyone is so supportive."

A charity gig is being held at Kingsmead Community School to benefit the SolidariTea truck. Band 3 Daft Monkeys will play on Saturday, April 8, from 6.30pm. Tickets are available from £10.

Rosie and Lily will be driving for six months to help the refugees. 

Rosie and Lily hosted a talk in Wiveliscombe to teach people about the reality of living in a refugee camp and have since managed to fundraise more than £3,000 to go towards tea, milk, biscuits, ingredients for soup, and other comforts they can offer the refugees.

The truck will drive the Balkan route, starting in Italy, and will serve refugees along the way.

Miss Johnson added: "We want to do something sustainable and simple. The truck will create a safe space for refugees and provide them with hot drinks and homemade soup on their journey to future safety in Europe."

The two will always be on the look-out for fundraising opportunities while out on the road, and encourage anyone who wants to give or who has any ideas to get in touch by emailing rosielorien@yahoo.co.uk or by visiting the SolidariTea Facebook page.