Members of Maldon Rotary Club have praised the generosity of residents after collecting more than £1,250 to help Ukraine over two weekends of collections in the town centre.

The club raised £1278.67 by standing outside high street store M&Co on 18, 19, 25 and 26 March with collection buckets.

A spokesperson for the club said: "Our members and friends have been most generous with their time for this very deserving cause.

"The public were also very generous, with several going to cash machines to withdraw money.

"We were thanked on several occasions for turning out to make these collections.

"With Gift Aid and a donation from the club's charity account, we expect the final total to be in the region of £2,500."

The money raised will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine Appeal, which has been helping people in Ukraine and its bordering countries after Russia launched its invasion on 24 February.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), an estimated 18 million Ukrainians will require humanitarian assistance following Russia's invasion.

Donations to the DEC Ukraine Appeal are being distributed to the DEC's member charities and local partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to provide food, first aid, clean water, shelter support, warm clothing, hygiene parcels and medicine to people in need.

The appeal is also helping charities to support medical facilities, run collective centres with beds, food and washing facilities and provide transport, up-to-date information and psychosocial support.

To donate to the appeal, click here.