HELENSBURGH residents have been thanked for their continued support for Ukrainians fighting for freedom - from a town son who made the eastern European country his home.

Stuart McKenzie returned to Helensburgh last week to see familiy and friends, and bring them together at the town's Peckham's restaurant for a party and fund-raising effort.

And he was joined by a young Ukrainian soldier who has been recovering from his injuries and will soon return to the front line.

Alexander Gorbunov, 24, was fighting south of Bakhmut, feeding the machine gun being fired by his father, Artem.

But a mortar explosion left his 46-year-old dad with more than 100 injuries. He is still recovering in hospital in Glasgow and may not be able to return to battle again.

While Artem was an opera singer and Alexander an artist and teacher, both are now fighting for the country's freedom from Russian invasion.

Helensburgh Advertiser:

Alexander told the Advertiser: "It's our language, our culture - that's why we fight. Russia is committing genocide.

"I feel I cannot do drawing or painting because my country is not in freedom."

Stuart said he would continue educating people about what's happening in Ukraine. He fled Kyiv, his home of 28 years, when Russia invaded, taking his family to safety in Poland.

"People are very generous," he said. "Over the past 12 months, there are other problems in the world and the cost-of-living crisis in particular. And it's just getting harder for Ukraine.

"There's just so much need. We have got to keep doing what we can. Money goes a long way."

Get the latest news direct to your inbox at www.helensburghadvertiser.co.uk/newsletters

He said Saturday night's event was originally going to be a reunion for family and friends. But his online fund-raising target was already met, to help buy 4x4 vehicles to join a convoy from the UK to Ukraine.

The vehicles help get supplies to the front line, or can be armoured and armed as they are cheaper attack vehicles than multi million pound tanks

Stuart added: "It's great to be making the connection between my two homes."

Saturday's event raised £1,360 towards David Fraser, who has been regularly making humanitarian trips to Ukraine as well as protesting outside the Russian consulate in Edinburgh with his "Free Ukraine" Tesla, which was parked in front of Peckham's during the weekend event.