THE humanitarian efforts of two Ellesmere women in pioneering life-saving aid for countless displaced children will be highlighted during Refugee Week this month.

Eglantyne Jebb and her sister Dorothy Buxton, co-founded the Save the Children charity just after the end of the First World War.

It was in response to the plight of thousands of children left starving across Germany and other parts of central Europe as a result of Britain and its allies blockading the delivery of vital food and medical supplies.

Braving fierce opposition from the UK government and a war-weary public, the sisters launched the charity in May, 1919 at a public meeting in London's Royal Albert Hall. Only days earlier, Eglantyne had been arrested and fined for handing out leaflets in Trafalgar Square showing heartbreaking images of an emaciated child.

Save the Children has grown to become one of the leading international relief charities, operating in many countries stricken by war and famine, such as Yemen and Syria.

The sisters' story will be featured as part of Refugee Week, which starts next Monday, June 14, specifically on the Shropshire Refugee Week website organised by the Shropshire Supports Refugees group.

It will include a video about the development of the recently-completed Jebb Garden next to the mere in Ellesmere Jebb Garden by volunteers from the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative.

The garden was created to mark Save the Children's centenary and includes an abstract sculpture, called The Sisters, together with a labyrinth footpath that leads to a second sculpture of a refugee child finding shelter.

More information can be found at www.shropshirerefugeeweek.org.uk