AN articulated truck with around 100,000 meals has left Colchester and is on its way to Ukraine.

People from across the Colchester community and a number of organisations have helped collect aid for the war-torn country.

The Colchester to Ukraine: Humanitarian & Emergency Aid Campaign was officially launched back in April.

Since then donations of £23,000 alongside other items have been made.

The campaign’s first goal was to send an articulated lorry load of essential aid to those in need, with the plan to schedule further deliveries, providing there is community support.

Donations exceeded expectations, with the lorry filled in just over a month.

Volunteers aided with the sorting and packing of food.

The initiative is being spearheaded by Martin Leatherdale, Lion Walk Centre Manager, former Colchester mayor Robert Davidson, and the Dulai family, owners of Surya Foods and Colchester’s George Hotel.

Mr Davidson said: “We should be proud to be part of such a caring community.”

Surya Foods is contributing to the transport and production of food, whilst Lion Walk has opened the drop off site, where the public can make donations.

Suki Dulai, CEO of Surya Foods, said: “There are literally millions of mouths to feed, right now, so there really is no time to waste.

"We are so thrilled to have reached our first target, in just over a month, and hope the departure of this truck, with vital supplies, will inspire continued support so we can coordinate further aid drops.”

Martin Leatherdale, manager of Lion Walk Shopping Centre, added: “It’s humbling to support a community project of emergency humanitarian aid direct from our city – I am proud.

“The response from the Colchester community has been incredible. The last few weeks have been very challenging as we set about producing food boxes containing in the region of 100k meals – all done entirely by volunteers.

The Lion Walk donation hub is located next to Primark, in Culver Street, and is in operation between 11am and 3pm.

To donate to the campaign visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/colchester-to-ukraine