Over 700 creme eggs, each with a hand-knitted finger puppet made by people in Felsted, are on their way to refugee children in Ukraine.

The Easter goodies are part of of a humanitarian aid convoy organised by Felsted Aid for Deprived Children UK-AID which left on Tuesday. The three vans and two trailers contained warm clothing as well as children’s clothes, toiletries, sanitary wear, nappies, children’s shoes, washing powder and medical equipment.

This is the first of three trips planned by the group, which is now in its 15th year. Spokesman Alan Hilliar said: “The troubles in Ukraine are over 600 miles away from the town we visit, but they are affected in that the town has to cope with an extra 10,000 refugees 2,000 of them children. The journey will take four days of driving so they should arrive at around 6pm Friday evening.”

He added: “The already poor people in Ukraine are finding life now even more difficult with their currency having been devalued four times and although there is food in the shops they cannot afford to buy it. We are unable to help in that direction as we are not allowed to take food. It’s very frustrating.”

Any company interested in sponsoring the convoys in return for their name and logo on the vans is invited to contact Felsted Aid for Deprived Children. Email: felstedaid@hotmail.com