One of the team, Megan Fileman, has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) but says a “fantastic” treatment should allow her to make the gruelling journey. Joining her will be Eleanor Shone, Olivia Pittman, Holly Andrews and Harrison Stubbs.

They said their trip would not be as difficult as those faced by many refugees.

“Last year 171,332 people risked their lives and faced the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea to seek safety in Europe,” Shone pointed out.

Almost half of the people making this journey were women and children and 3081 are believed to have died.

Shone said that the refugees would not risk their lives on such a journey unless they had no alternative but added that even if they made it to Europe they were not always safe.

“With increasing restrictions on movement in Europe, many have been left stranded in Greece,” she pointed out.

“Thousands are living in appalling, unsanitary conditions, sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures with no information on their legal status, or when their terrible ordeal will be over. These vulnerable displaced people, who have already suffered so much, deserve the right to sanitation, healthcare, psychological support and access to fair and efficient asylum procedures.

“It is critical to raise awareness of this crisis and the vital work that Médecins Sans Frontières and other organisations are doing to help these people.” thenational