Thursday: White Helmets

I have had the privilege at being at an incredibly moving event tonight. Some of you may have seen the Oscar-winning Netflix documentary, 'White Helmets', about the volunteer search and rescue organisation in Syria. Well, here are three of them who were here to share their stories.

They talked about their roles in the organisation, the importance of international support, how they maintain hope. They also shared their personal stories. The woman on the left, with the white scarf, is a former journalist and is one of about 220 female members of the organisation. She lost her brother in the conflict. The tall bearded man is a dentist and a board member for the organisation. The man on the right is a car mechanic who lost his wife and ten year old nephew. The other woman is, I think, a member of the Syrian community here.

I was lucky enough to get to speak tonight as the UK is a significant donor of the White Helmets. But it was their stories that really held the room - you could have heard a pin drop.

All are shortly heading back to Syria.