RESIDENTS in Whitchurch have answered the call to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees displaced by the conflict with Russia.

A collection point has been set up at the Continental Convenience Store, in Green End and it will be open Monday to Friday.

The humanitarian efforts are being led by the Polish Integration Support Centre (PISC), which hopes people can donate toys, foil survival blankets, sleeping bags, thermal clothing, bandages and other kit as part of the humanitarian aid to help Ukrainian refugees.

Since an initial appeal for aid there has been a strong response, with people dropping off items to the collection point.

Store owner, Krzysztof Salik, originally from Poland, said: "There has been a massive response.

"From the moment when I opened at 9am, people were waiting.

"Every five minutes someone was coming and going with aid for Ukraine.

"A lot of English people come and help as well as Poles, Romanians, some Russians as well.

"A lot of people from different countries are living in Whitchurch and are asking how they can help.

"People have been bringing nappies, shampoo, survival blankets, toys, blankets, towels, everything what people need in the first couple of days."

Krzysztof appealed for people to bring in more aid for Ukrainian refugees if they were able to.

He said: "If it is possible and people can help, please come in and do everything you can do.

"Last two days, 300,000 Ukrainian people, women and kids, have come to the Polish side.

"We make a collection to Friday evening, and we send everything on Saturday to Ukraine."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has left many UK-based Poles fearful given they have family members who do not live far from the Polish border with Ukraine and fearing Russian forces will cross into Poland and the Baltic countries.

The area on the border has become militarised with regular patrols being conducted by the Polish Armed Forces.

Many, like Krzysztof, are praying for peace.

He said: "I pray it does not happen, but everything is possible.

"My parents and my brother live 40km (25 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

"It is dangerous every day because the Polish Air Force is flying.

"At 4am my brother heard the Polish Air Force flying not far from his home and patrolling."

If you would like to provide humanitarian support to Ukrainian refugees, you can head down to the Continental Convenience Store, Green End Whitchurch, on Monday to Friday between 9am and 8pm.