RESIDENTS in Stroud are rallying behind the aid effort to help people in Ukraine after Russia's invasion last week.

A Facebook group called Stroud Stands with Ukraine was set up in the wake of this attack – over 200 members have joined already in just a few days.

The main purpose is to organise local donations into a single place which makes it easier to get them down to London.

Stroud Stands with Ukraine is liaising with the White Eagle Club – a Polish social centre in Balham, South London - to deliver all donations to their facility in the UK capital to then to be taken to the Poland-Ukraine border.

Whilst they are not collecting food, they are collecting the following - batteries, torches, candles, clothes (new or very good condition), shoes (new or very good condition), nappies for children of different ages, sanitary products, thermal clothes such as long johns, thermal vests and gloves, painkillers, dressings as well as duvets, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows and sheets.

Stroud Stands with Ukraine’s official drop off points for collecting aid are at Simpson's Fish and Chips in the town centre, open Tuesday to Saturday (for clothes and bedding ) as well as Rasmachaz Thrift Shop in Kendrick Street, also open Tuesday to Saturday (for medical supplies and toiletries).

The Stirrup Cup in Bisley, the Omega Resource Group in Bond's Mill Estate, Stonehouse and Trading Post in Kendrick Street, Stroud are all recent additions to the list of drop off points.

In these three places any items which are on the list can be donated.

They are also encouraging people to make monetary donations to the Ukrainian Embassy directly.

Elsewhere, other groups in Stroud are trying to play their part.

Items can be donated to the Painswick Centre before this coming Monday, March 7.

There is a big box in the lobby just outside the cafe which will be open from 10am to 4pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 11am to 3pm on Sunday.

Items to be donated include medicine, shower gel, toothbrushes and clothes.

The Lady with the Slings – a foundling babywearing consultant based in Stroud – is collecting and sending slings on to Ukraine.

For more information, visit Facebook group Stroud Stands with Ukraine which can be found here bit.ly/3MejTj0