A plan to raise 'a few hundred pounds' for Ukraine has galvanised an entire community.

The village of Seaton has pulled out all the stops and already raised £3,000 and there is more to come.

Seaton vicar, the Rev Ian Grainger said: “We have a lunch on a Friday where people give donations. At the end of the month the donations are divided between the church and a charity.

“This month we decided to send money to the Red Cross to help with its Ukrainian efforts.

“I had read that charities were being overwhelmed with clothes etc and we felt that the Red Cross would use the money where it was most needed."

Since then, however, things have taken off.

People and representatives from organisations around the village have dropped off money for the appeal. People have offered badges in the Ukraine colours for sale.

Window and car stickers supporting Ukraine are being sold as are ribbons for similar displays to those that were used to support the NHS during the peak of the pandemic.

The church itself has broken with tradition to raise awareness of what is happening to the people of Ukraine.

“During Lent we do not normally have flowers in the church but this year we have decorated the church with sunflowers to show that we stand with Ukraine.”