Ipswich: Volunteers in Christmas gift wrapathon for Ukraine children

The organisers said wrapping all the presents had been a "mammoth task"

Volunteers have taken part in a "wrapathon" to ensure children in war-torn Ukraine get Christmas presents.

Dozens of people chipped in to wrap gifts at Claydon High School, near Ipswich, with more than 4,000 toys wrapped in the first few hours alone.

It was hoped 20,000 presents would be transported by lorries to Ukraine - leaving Ipswich on 12 December.

Organiser Jeremy Fish said they wanted to "bring a little joy" to children's lives in time for Christmas.

Hundreds of people have helped wrap presents for Ukrainian children at a special wrapathon event

The organisers received 10,000 unwrapped toy donations from Kids Out and Key Craft Global

The event was organised by Rotary Clubs in the UK and Ukraine, with help from a number of charities donating toys and providing transport.

Russia invaded eastern Ukraine in February.

"We did a convoy to Slovakia in October, we organised 15 vehicles from the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance - and we were talking with Rotarians out there - and saying wouldn't it be great to give Ukrainian children a Christmas?" Mr Fish said.

"It's been wonderful to see all these people helping out.

"It's just a mammoth task and today has been insane."

The consignment will leave Ipswich on 12 December bound for Ukraine

Yana, from Ukraine, said the effort was "a small thing to do"

The hall at Claydon High School in Claydon, near Ipswich, was the epicentre of the charity effort

The team received 2,000 wrapped presents from the public and machinery firm JCB, as well as 10,000 unwrapped toy donations from Kids Out and Key Craft Global - prompting the wrapathon.

It was estimated the final number could exceed 20,000.

Three 40ft-long articulated lorries were due to leave Suffolk for Slovakia on 12 December, where more than 200 volunteers would unpack them and transport them into central Ukraine.

Members of 69 Rotary clubs across Ukraine planned to distribute the presents to children in need, Mr Fish said.

The gifts are organised into age categories for children in Ukraine

Yana, a volunteer from Ukraine, said the wrapathon effort was "a small thing to do".

"I just wanted to help. It's Christmas time, but also wartime," she said.

"After the war, we should learn from this and help others too."

• Putin tells soldiers' mothers he shares their pain

• Life with Ukrainian family is enriching, says host

• Family reunited as mother and daughter flee Ukraine

Maria, who also helped wrap presents on Saturday, said it was "a lovely feeling" to give back.

"I feel so passionate about it and it is so important to help your country while you're away from it. Today is my duty," she said.

Mr Fish added: "You look at what is happening in Ukraine, families are being torn apart, the country is being ravaged, people have lost loved ones and their livelihoods.

"This time last year they were looking forward to Christmas and celebrating in a traditional way.

"This year is totally different. I would like to think that we could bring just a little bit of joy into their lives."

Volunteer Maria said she felt the wrapathon was her "duty"