The migrant crisis is a growing problem - and one former Norfolk teacher has first hand experience of some of its horrors.

Carmine De Grandis, previous teacher at Cromer Academy, visited the Greek Island of Lesvos to support refugees who have crossed the Aegean Sea to flee the devastating war in Syria.

Syrians are so desperate to escape they're willing to do anything, including crossing the dangerous Aegean Sea.

Carmine speaks with horror of people who sell fake life jackets, which act like a stone when wet. Imagine parents giving up every penny they own to give their child safety, only to see them drown.

He also describes how, when the weather is bad, sea conditions are more hazardous so the exploitative crossing is a cheaper rate, forcing families to take the risk.

So why do they do it?

Benedict Cumberbatch made Warsan Shire's poem 'Home' famous after his performance of Hamlet: 'No-one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.'

To take such a risk must indeed mean that home has become more dangerous than risking your life on an overcrowded boat on the Aegean Sea.

Yet, Carmine describes how 'these people arrive full of hope. Hope for a future away from fighting, hope that other countries will assist'.

They come off boats smiling, looking forward to a safer future for their children.

Carmine and other volunteers greet them with blankets, dry socks and open arms. They're moved to camps, but from there the doors are shut. Countries are closing borders and refusing to acknowledge the crisis. 294 MPs recently voted against accepting more refugee children into our country.

So what can we do to help? You can donate money through charities like Unicef or more locally get involved with the refugee children in Norfolk by contacting Roshan Dykes on info@newroutes.org.uk.

Together, we can make a difference.

Chloe Diggines, 15, Brundall