Ukraine conflict: Lorry loads of supplies collected in Yorkshire for refugees

Donations have been spilling into the street outside Diane Evans' office in Sheffield

Lorry loads of supplies have been collected across Yorkshire to support refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine.

One volunteer in Halifax said the response to the crisis from the public in the town was "almost like Live Aid".

In Sheffield, items including nappies, chargers, first aid kits and clothing have been left at drop-off sites.

Ukrainian national Diane Evans, who has family in Lviv, helped coordinate collections and said those who donated "need to be proud of themselves".

The items donated in Sheffield will be taken to a church in Doncaster before being sent to Poland to help those escaping Ukraine.

"I can't go out and fight. If I could, I would be on the next plane out to Lviv and I'd be fighting because I feel that passionately," Ms Evans said.

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Ms Evans said she was inspired to help after attending a vigil in Sheffield

Ms Evans, who runs an estate agents in Nethergreen, thanked people for their "absolutely fantastic" generosity in supporting the collection, which has been organised by Polish supermarket Dora's Food, in Attercliffe.

She said her family lived near Lviv, in the west of Ukraine, and had been doing their bit to help the war effort.

"My cousin's daughter is a librarian and she's been making camouflage netting," she said.

"It's my family out there and it makes it very, very real.

"They must feel scared and really vulnerable and it's awful to be put in that position in 2022. It can't be right."

The items are being stored at a church in Doncaster before being shipped to Poland

Meanwhile in Halifax, volunteer Ivan Kuzio said: "This response has been incredible. It's almost like Live Aid. Everyone wants to get involved."

The 60-year-old, who is helping co-ordinate the collection effort, said enough had already been massed in the West Yorkshire town to fill their first truck.

Now the plan is to fill a container a week with essential supplies as well as to drive smaller vehicles into western Ukraine with military grade first aid supplies.

Mr Kuzio said: "We've been inundated with people and supplies from all walks of life and from all ethnic groups, which is brilliant.

"I think Ukraine is being seen as David against Goliath."