Hundreds of coats and jumpers have been donated to help refugees in Ukraine cope with the cold weather this winter.

UK-Aid, formerly Felsted Aid, which is based in Leaden Roding, sent out an appeal three weeks ago asking people to rummage through their wardrobes for old clothing.

Following an “excellent response” from residents in Essex and North London, three vans and a trailer full of aid will be taken over to Ukraine and distributed amongst more than 7,000 refugees.

Trustee of UK-Aid, set up in 2000, Pauline Craven, said: “Last time we went out we were asked if we could bring out warm clothing for the refugees because they had fled their homes and have no other clothes than what they were wearing at the time, which in a lot of cases was nothing more than a t-shirt.

“They were told at gunpoint to leave their properties. We went to a village where there were 11 families and we ask how can we help they said we just need warm clothing. At the moment the temperature was minus 10 but it can go to minus 30.”

She added: “The appeal has had an excellent response and people have been very generous. We would like to thank everybody who has donated.”