Two Mansfield Rotarians played their part in an appeal to help Ukrainian refugees.

The Old Meeting House Unitarian Church in Mansfield was overwhelmed by donations of aid, but needed help to get the items boxed up and then transported to a meeting point in Derby – from where the donations were taken to Ukraine and Romania.

Denise Starkey and Cate Hunt, from Mansfield Rotary, joined the volunteers at the church and then drove a van full of aid.

Church trustee Pauline Smith had issued an urgent plea for help after the church, on Stockwell Gate, was inundated with donations of supplies from the local community, including from individuals, businesses, community groups, schools and charities.

The Rev Maria Pap, minister at the Old Meeting House, said: “We shared an exhilarating feeling of trying to help people in need. We are so far away from the conflict that our options are limited – but it’s really important to do what we can at this time, and make sure that people who are affected get help and support. This is the personal touch.”