F H Halliday & Son, a funeral director in Portishead, has appealed for medical equipment and supplies to be sent to Ukraine.

The firm has donated one of its private ambulances to a North Somerset Rotary Club initiative in an effort to help the war-torn country.

The ambulance will be filled with medical supplies before it leaves on September 11.

Two members of the Wrington Vale Rotary Club will drive the donated vehicle packed with equipment to meet Ukrainian Rotary club members in their homeland. They will distribute it, ensuring the items reach those in need.

Glyn Lawrence, the owner of the funeral director and a descendent of the Halliday family, said: "As a Rotarian myself I really wanted us to support this project and felt donating the ambulance would be one way to do that, however filling it with equipment would be even better.

"We put out a plea to the public and as North Somerset communities always do, people have rallied to support the initiative."

Glyn's son Harvey, who also works for the family firm, said: "So far we have collected nearly 20 crutches and walking sticks, three wheelchairs, four Zimmer frames, a generator, 18 brand new blood pressure monitors and a large amount of medical supplies, but we still have plenty of space left in our ambulance for more, so we hope people will continue to donate."

Donations can be delivered to F H Halliday at 115 High Street in Portishead or items can be collected by arrangement by calling 01275 842120 or email office@fhhalliday.co.uk

On February 24, 2022, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine, triggering the start of the biggest European conflict since WWII.

But there had been conflict between the two countries for eight years prior.

Many countries, including the USA, Canada and those from the EU, imposed international sanctions against Russia after the attack.

Ukrainian troops launched a surprise attack across the Russian border in early-August, with the aim of forcing Russia to redeploying its units and to give Ukraine a higher chance of securing a peace settlement.

Russia has been continuing offensive operations and pushing its front-line forward into Kharkiv since October 2023. Russia has the advantage of manpower on its side and is able to use its soldiers to gain meters on the front line.

After two and a half years of fighting, the battle has mostly remained in the east of Ukraine with Russia slowly advancing over the months.

The conflict has affected millions of people in Ukraine, and tens of millions of people have been displaced and have no access to water, food and electricity.