Businessmen to drive lorries with aid to Ukraine

Mike Racz said the amount of donations was overhelming

Two businessman are travelling to Ukraine to deliver van loads of donations to those living through the war.

Mike Racz and Karl Pemberton said the support they had received had been "overwhelming".

The duo were originally planning to fill a small van with donations but are now taking two larger lorries with them.

Mr Racz, from Wolviston, County Durham, said he "did not expect the amount of donations and love and support and aid" that people had offered.

Mr Racz's partner, Kateryna Seranova, is from Ukraine and said the dangers her family faced were still very real.

"Our biggest mall was bombed - it doesn't exist any more," she said.

"It's very important to know safe places where you can go and hide."

Kateryna Seranova still speaks to her family living in Ukraine every day

Mr Racz and Mr Pemberton were concerned that donations to Ukraine were slowing despite the war continuing throughout the winter.

Russia has continued its assault on the country and has stepped up air strikes on Ukrainian cities in the last two weeks.

Earlier this week, two Russian missiles struck a hotel in Kharkiv injuring 11 people.

But the weather is also having an effect. On 12 January, the temperature in Kyiv fell to -11°C overnight.

Mr Pemberton, managing director of Stockton's Active Chartered Financial Planners, said this meant help was needed more than ever.

"The weather over there is terrible at the moment, it is freezing cold," he said.

"We can send blankets, clothing, food to help them get through the harsh winter.

"It all helps."