Bridport has been strongly supporting the people of Ukraine with nearly £5,000 through Rotary street collections.

On Saturday in Bridport and on Sunday in West Bay, members of the two Rotary clubs based in this area were delighted with the magnificent and generous response to our street collections. The money collected will provide much needed aid to the people of Ukraine, those who have fled in the face of warfare and those who remain to face the advancing enemy.

A total of £4,700 was raised over the two days. Many donors spoke of their disgust of the events in Ukraine and many said that they were supporting the efforts of other aid organisations, as well as Rotary, to help the Ukrainian people. This is not a competition between the various aid agencies but a collaboration so that we can financially, morally and practically work together to provide assistance where it is so badly needed.

Rotary is a worldwide organisation that has been taking aid directly into Ukraine by train and then bringing out refugees. Rotary clubs in the Ukraine, Poland, Moldova. Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Italy, Germany and France are actively assisting the victims with assistance from Rotary clubs worldwide.

The money collected in Bridport and West Bay will be added to that from Rotary clubs from throughout the world.

The immediate need is to support local services for sick and injured people. The current medical situation in the Ukraine is dire and rapidly changing with critical shortages.

Rotary members stationed at the borders are providing essential supplies and shelter for displaced people. In the longer term the provision of homes for refugees, schools for the children, ongoing medical assistance and mental health provision will all have to be addressed. We cannot simply wish it all away.

As well as supporting this, and other overseas aid projects, your local Rotary clubs will, as always, continue to work with local groups and needy causes to the benefit of the local community.

If you wish to see more of what we do please look up Rotary on the internet. You will be truly amazed at what we do - you could be part of it!

Bernard Paull - President Rotary Club of Bridport