The war in Ukraine has touched many people across the UK - including here in East Lancashire.

Thousands from all over the county are eager to help those who have been torn from their homes and had their lives turned upside down.

People from across the UK have been doing the most inspiring things to show solidarity and support for those suffering - these acts have inspired newspapers and websites from across Newsquest Media Group to come together to raise much-needed funds.

You can read more about how the Lancashire Telegraph is involved and how you can show your support here.

From organising collections to driving into Ukraine itself to deliver aid, here are just some of the amazing individuals and organisations across East Lancashire who are doing their part to help Ukrainians.  

Blackburn man, Harley Whitehead, has been driving thousands of miles from the UK directly to Ukraine to deliver aid and supplies.

The photographer, who lives between the UK and Ukraine, said he needed to do something to help people in the country.

He said: “It got to a point where I was watching and speaking to people I knew who were stuck over there. There were a lot of things I could do to help and just thought it needed to be done.”

Harley said he continue to help and deliver supplies withing Ukraine until “his van breaks down”.

Facebook page, EastLancs4Ukraine, documents all that Harley and friend, Steve Dickinson, get up to as they distribute aid and volunteer within Ukraine.

Daria Wood and her husband, Chris, have been using their Accrington shop, Emmazing Gifts, as a donation drop off point.

Lancashire Telegraph: Daria Wood with daughter, Emma, and husband, Chris. (Photo: Daria Wood)Daria Wood with daughter, Emma, and husband, Chris. (Photo: Daria Wood)

Daria, who lived in Ukraine for 20 years and went to university in Kyiv, estimates that they have sent four vans of goods over to the country with more collections planned for the future.

Daria, 38, said: “I am Ukrainian and I have family over there so it is quite a personal issue.

“I have spoken to friends in Kyiv who grabbed their children, their phones and a bottle of water and left on an evacuation train, leaving their lives behind.

“We want to stay busy and do whatever we can from here.”

If you are hoping to donate, you can still send items to the Whalley Road shop. They are particularly interested in medicinal donations, such as ibuprofen and Calpol.

Lancashire Telegraph:

The Clitheroe Rotary club has also opened a collection point for the generous people of Ribble Valley and beyond to donate to.

People can donate goods at a drop off point at St Mary’s Hall, opposite Clitheroe St Mary’s Parish Church, between 10am and 4pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Howard Blackburn, Clitheroe Rotary International Chairman said: “Rotary is always at the forefront when action is needed to support international disasters and we need to move fast to support the people of Ukraine.”

Danielle Almond also used her Bacup Bakery, Baked Cakes, as a local collection point for items being sent to the Polish border for Ukrainian refugees.

Lancashire Telegraph: Danielle Almond's Baked Cakes in Bacup acted as a collection point for items being donated to Ukrainian refugeesDanielle Almond's Baked Cakes in Bacup acted as a collection point for items being donated to Ukrainian refugees

Danielle said: “Our amazing community dropped off donations bringing enough items to fill three vans.

“We are also delivering another five boxes of essential items this week such as medical equipment, sanitary items and baby items which will be driven over soon.”

Blackburn charity, Secret Santa, recently launched a one-week long appeal for the mothers and children of Ukraine.

They asked for toys, teddy bears and toiletries and were “flooded” with donations. 

Lancashire Telegraph: Secret Santa filled sent 70 bags of donated items to Ukrainian people in needSecret Santa filled sent 70 bags of donated items to Ukrainian people in need

Managing director, Phil Boulding, said: “The support from the local community has been heart-warming.  

“We just couldn’t stand by knowing it was mainly women and children that were becoming refugees and continue to sell teddy bears in the shop when there were children crying and dying on the streets and so many displaced. We just had to do our bit”

In total, they collected 70 “red sacks of joy” which they are sending to those in need via Blackburn's Salvation Army.

Lancashire Telegraph: A car boot filled with teddy bears and toys, donated to Secret Santa charity for Ukrainian families in needA car boot filled with teddy bears and toys, donated to Secret Santa charity for Ukrainian families in need

This week, the Beardwood Hospital in Blackburn and The Lancaster Hospital, which are part of the Circle Health Group, announced it will seek to sponsor visas for Ukrainian refugees and their families.

The hospitals are also gathering essential items of medical equipment to donate to a hospital in Lviv.

Sam Sheehan, Executive Director of The Beardwood and The Lancaster Hospitals, said: "Sending essential equipment to a hospital in Ukraine to help them continue to care for patients and sending essential items for families, is a small gesture to support all those suffering in the ongoing crisis"

Donations made via JustGiving and use of the JustGiving website will be subject to the JustGiving privacy policy https://www.justgiving.com/about/info/privacy-policy/privacy-policy-v30 and cookie policy https://www.justgiving.com/about/info/cookie-notice None of the donations will be collected by Newsquest.

Financial transactions are with JustGiving to donate to the British Red Cross Society DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

In the unlikely event that the British Red Cross Society raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help them prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in the world. For more information visit https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/disaster-fund Charity Registration No. Eng/Wales 220949,Scot SC037738, IOM 0752, Jers430