Efforts to support people in invaded Ukraine continue across the district. Here are some of the individuals making a difference.

UK-Aid, Felsted

UK-Aid is driving three 18-tonne aid lorries of aid to assist Ukrainian refugees who have crossed the Moldovan border at Palanca, Tudora and Otaci.

The lorries will leave on Thursday, March 24. Donations need to be with UK-Aid before Friday, March 18.

Take items to Newhouse Farm, Leaden Roding, Dunmow, CM6 1RE between 11am and 2pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

They are also seeking cash donations to help with transport costs. For a list of items that are needed and bank transfer details see: https://www.uk-aid.org/news/article/ukraine-crisis.html

Great Bardfield

Dunmow Broadcast: Children at Great Bardfield Primary School in front of their blue and yellow sunflowers with messages of peace on the back to show solidarity with the children at the medical centre in Chernihiv, northern UkraineChildren at Great Bardfield Primary School in front of their blue and yellow sunflowers with messages of peace on the back to show solidarity with the children at the medical centre in Chernihiv, northern Ukraine (Image: Great Bardfield Primary School)

Children at Great Bardfield Primary School have decorated their fence with sunflower pictures coloured in blue and yellow for the Ukrainian flag, and written messages of peace on the back.

They held a non-uniform day and a cake sale and raised £330.

Dunmow Broadcast: George Mills and students of Great Bardfield Primary School with donated aid items from generous parents to support people in UkraineGeorge Mills and students of Great Bardfield Primary School with donated aid items from generous parents to support people in Ukraine (Image: Great Bardfield Primary School)

Parents have donated aid items to support families, and these have been collected by resident George Mills.

For 30 years Mr Mills has regularly collected items through the 'Smile Box' scheme to support children and their families at a children's medical centre in Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, and up until two years ago was driving the lorry himself.

He is arranging for a lorry full of aid to go out to Poland.

He said: "People know whatever they give me will reach where they want it to go."

Tesco Great Dunmow and Co-op Flitch Green

Dunmow Broadcast: Jamie Murdoch is collecting items to help people in Ukraine. He's seen here in front of Tesco, Great Dunmow, with mayor Patrick LavelleJamie Murdoch is collecting items to help people in Ukraine. He's seen here in front of Tesco, Great Dunmow, with mayor Patrick Lavelle (Image: Saffron Photo)

Dunmow man Jamie Murdoch's efforts continue, collecting donated items and driving them in his van to Colchester garrison.

On Tuesday nights he is at Co-op in Flitch Green and on Wednesdays he is at Tesco set-down area in Great Dunmow, both between 5pm and 6.30pm.

He is collecting a range of items including sleeping bags, ground sheets, dried food, nappies, toothpaste and other toiletries, and tinned food with ring pull tops. He cannot accept cash or clothing.

So far has taken five van loads of donated items to Colchester garrison. He has also been out to Little Easton to collect donations.

"The response has been brilliant," he said.

Dunmow Broadcast: A Ukraine donation is handed over to Jamie Murdoch, watched by Great Dunmow mayor Patrick LavelleA Ukraine donation is handed over to Jamie Murdoch, watched by Great Dunmow mayor Patrick Lavelle (Image: Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Jamie Murdoch receiving a donation for the Ukraine collection outside Tesco, Great DunmowJamie Murdoch receiving a donation for the Ukraine collection outside Tesco, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo)

Dunmow Broadcast: Jamie Murdoch receiving a donation for the Ukraine collection outside Tesco, Great DunmowJamie Murdoch receiving a donation for the Ukraine collection outside Tesco, Great Dunmow (Image: Saffron Photo)

VIDEO

Felsted Royal British Legion

Dunmow Broadcast: Felsted Royal British Legion's coffee morning to help the people of Ukraine gave the community a chance to chatFelsted Royal British Legion's coffee morning to help the people of Ukraine gave the community a chance to chat (Image: Dicky Howett)

A coffee morning held at Felsted's Royal British Legion on Wednesday (March 9) has raised £400 with a further £1,600 through Essex Freemasons.

The money raised is for Felsted charity UK-Aid, and generous people also donated the equivalent of a car boot of support items including towels, blankets, toiletries, nappies, and tins of food.

Theresa Thomas said: "Everybody in Felsted rallied around."

She planned the event with Lorraine Kerr and they are grateful to the support of Kay and Richard from Linsells of Felsted for donated raffle prizes.

Theresa's blue and yellow ribbon pin badges were admired so much, she's making some to sell.

Dunmow Broadcast: A scene from the coffee morning raising funds for the Ukraine, at Felsted Royal British Legion showing hand crafted blue and yellow ribbons in the Ukraine coloursA scene from the coffee morning raising funds for the Ukraine, at Felsted Royal British Legion showing hand crafted blue and yellow ribbons in the Ukraine colours (Image: Dicky Howett)

Luckins, Great Dunmow

A wine tasting held by Luckins Wine Store in Great Dunmow has raised £850.

The total was boosted through Gift Aid and donations have also been added to the total. All proceeds are for Felsted-based charity UK-Aid.

The Rose Garden Florist, Great Dunmow

Dunmow Broadcast: The Rose Garden, Great Dunmow's window with Big Ted and sunflowers to show support for the UkraineThe Rose Garden, Great Dunmow's window with Big Ted and sunflowers to show support for the Ukraine (Image: submitted)

Customers at The Rose Garden Florist in Great Dunmow have been buying sunflowers, the Ukraine national flower, and blue and yellow flower bulbs.

Owner Stephanie Harris said the company they work with to get flowers around the world have suspended business with Russia.

She said she wholeheartedly supports this decision, though it could mean that growers may be hit financially very badly, or prices in the UK could rise in future.

The florist's front window now has Big Ted showing his support for the Ukraine.

"It's a small thing to do but it's symbolic, that all of us even in a little town like Dunmow stand united with people that are being appallingly treated."

Royal watchers have noticed that The Queen had blue and yellow flowers in the room when she received Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Dunmow Broadcast: Queen Elizabeth II receives Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an audience at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, Monday March 7, 2022.Queen Elizabeth II receives Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during an audience at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, Monday March 7, 2022. (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)



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