CAFES will be giving away free cups of coffee in exchange for every pair of winter shoes donated for refugees in Calais and Dunkirk.

The fundraising initiative has been launched by Brighton-based aid group, The Hummingbird Project.

Among the coffee shops to have signed up include Small Batch, who will accept donations at their Norfolk Square and Jubilee Street branches on Sunday.

Nick Barlow, from the company, said: “We thought it sounded like a great way to get our customers involved and support the great work that Hummingbird is doing.”

he said he felt motivated to sing up after hearing stories from a volunteer in Calais.

He added: “It’s a truly desperate situation and right on our doorstep.

"If we can help, even in a small way, we will."

Small Batch Coffee Company also donates 1,000 cups a week to The Hummingbird Project’s tea kitchen in Calais and Dunkirk, which provides refugees with a hot drink.

Volunteers at the Hummingbird Project are requesting that the public give warm, sturdy, waterproof men’s shoes, UK size six to 11, that will withstand the mud and cold.

The collection is being organised by Jeta Bejtullahu, a photographer from Brighton who volunteers with the Hummingbird Project.

The event is also linked with her personal project, Be In Their Shoes, a story-telling campaign that uses images and words to tell the real stories of refugees and volunteers.

The Hummingbird Project was set up six months ago by Elaine Ortiz, a support worker from Brighton.

Volunteers travel to Calais every week, where they have set up a medical clinic, tea kitchen and an art and wellbeing safe space.

Elaine said: “We’ve developed a really good relationship with the people there. People have really come together and are really eager to help.”

The group has raised more than £27,000 in the last six months. Elaine said the response from the people of Brighton has been “absolutely beautiful.”

In addition to shoes, the most important items needed are tents, blankets, socks, waterproofs and tarpaulin.

A fundraiser for the Hummingbird Project will also be held at Komedia, in Gardner Street, Brighton, on February 5.

Local music collective Bangin Lemz will host the No Borders Party.

To donate to The Hummingbird Project visit chuffed.org/project/thehummingbirdprojectbrighton.