A Helensburgh community carer is holding a collection of donations in an effort to support refugees in Poland who have fled the war in Ukraine.

Alicja Tomar and friend Ewelina Wisniowska, who live in Dumbarton, are gathering items such as dry foods, sweets, and colouring books to send to two locations in Poland.

They are also gathering cards created and written by youngsters to send to the Ukrainian children.

Half of the items will go to the Ossa Conference Centre which is hosting around 1,000 Ukrainian orphans, with the remaining half being delivered to mothers and children in the Biała Rawska region.

This will be the second lot of donations sent by Alicja and Ewelina after an initial van-load of medical supplies were sent to Ukraine last month.

Alicja said: “It all started because Ewelina’s hometown is very close to the Ukrainian border.

“She was hearing all the stories about how they are struggling over there so she wanted to send a van over.

“After the first van, a lot of donations were left and we needed something to do with them.

“I was contacted by one of the volunteers in Ossa and they were asking for donations and help.

“They asked if it would be possible for us to also help the mothers and children in Biała Rawska, so we have, of course, said yes.”

The pair are also holding a raffle to raise funds which will help pay for the transport of the items collected.

Tickets cost £10, with prizes having been donated by local businesses including Ardardan Farm Shop, The Cardross Inn, The Toy Shop, and Saltire Scents.

The raffle will be drawn on Sunday, April 10, and the final day to drop off donations for the collection will be Friday, April 15.

Donations can be handed into The Toy Shop on West Clyde Street, where raffle tickets can also be purchased.