A VICAR and a shop volunteer are leading a drive to get aid to the Ukraine.

The Hedinghams Ukraine Crisis Collection has been formed by Hedinghams vicar the Rev Liz Paxton and Castle Hedingham village shop volunteer Kim Speed.

It is hoped the group will be able to collect essential items needed by refugees and Ukrainian nationals caught in the country’s invasion by Russia.

Ms Paxton has spent about ten years driving lorries into Ukraine to deliver aid to a children’s hospital.

As a result, she has friends in the country and contacts on the borders which has made it possible for the mercy mission to happen.

A businessman has donated a lorry which Ms Speed will be insured to drive and she will deliver the collection to a distribution centre in Essex.

The lorry will then leave for Moldova on March 23 where the collection will be dropped off for the Ukrainians.

Ms Speed has requested to be a part of the convoy to Moldova and Ms Paxton has accepted previous offers to drive the convoy lorry.

The organisers are still appealing for urgent items which include sanitary products, children’s nappies, hygiene products, blankets, sheets and duvets.

The village shop has a large cellar and Ms Speed has organised for it to be the drop off point for the collection.

The pair have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the residents and said while they are extremely grateful but not surprised.

Hedinghams ward district councillor Jo Beavis, who has been helping to organise the collection, said “Liz and Kim have demonstrated the importance of local leadership in bringing a community together to help others in need.

“This is a horrendously difficult time for our neighbours in Ukraine and the collection organised by Liz and Kim is a super human effort.”