WATCH: Hundreds donate supplies at Ukraine crisis collection point

Hundreds of people have been donating essential supplies at collection points in the town, including at the Morrisons supermarket and the Railway Tavern in Yaxham Road.

Donations being made at Morrisons in Dereham for people in Ukraine (Image: Archant)

An appeal was started earlier this week by Ian Odgers, from Dereham, who was looking to get jackets across to those affected by the conflict.

Having initially started with three collection points, the local effort has spread far and wide. There are now 13 across Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford, Heacham, Brandon, Necton, and Norwich.

A lorry from Dereham removal firm Family Movers is now stationed at the car park in Morrisons, allowing locals to drop-off supplies throughout the day.

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Adam Pearson, who runs the company, said it was an "emotional" experience to be involved.

"Essentially, what we are doing here is collecting donations which are being taken down to the Ukrainian embassy [in London] on Friday," he added.

"It is just unbelievable to see people's support. There is a constant stream of people turning up, donating items.

Organiser Ian Odgers with Andrew Pearson, managing director of Dereham firm Family Movers (Image: Archant)

"It is so emotional seeing what they are bringing. Everyone just feels like they want to do their bit."

Mr Odgers added: "I am simply overwhelmed by people's generosity and support.

"Without them, all of this would be nothing."

A donation being made at the Dereham Morrisons collection point for people in Ukraine (Image: Archant)

Norfolk as a whole has reacted in tenacious fashion to the crisis, which has seen Russia launch a full-scale invasion of its neighbouring country.

There are now donation lorries stationed in locations including Dereham, Swaffham, Thetford, Newmarket, and Norwich.

Volunteer Sarah Peck said she simply had to contribute to the local effort.

A donation being made at the Dereham Morrisons collection point for people in Ukraine (Image: Archant)

"What's going on in Ukraine is horrendous and I feel useless not being able to to my bit over there," she added.

"I thought it was my duty to come and help out in my local town.

"I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated. Small or large, we appreciate everything that you are doing for us."

Trevor Saunders BEM, from Mandalay Wellbeing Community Interest Charity, with Railway Tavern landlord Paul Sandford (Image: Archant)

Donation points in the local area are as follows:

• The Green Room Boutique, 39 High Street, Brandon IP27 0AQ
• 32 School Road, Necton, PE37 8HT
• Railway Tavern, Dereham, 21-23 Yaxham Road, Dereham NR19 1HB
• Doors Plus, Dereham, Units 1 & 9, Royson Way Hurn Road, Dereham NR19 1WD
• Morrisons, Station Road, Dereham, NR19 1DF
• Peerless Plastics and Coatings, 20 Howlett Way, Thetford, IP24 1HZ
• Waites and Stones Swaffham, Cherry Tree Farm, Brandon Road, Swaffham, PE37 8HN
• Gamestar Roundwell Works, Dereham Road, Norwich, NR5 0SQ
• Norfolk Lavender, Caley Mill, Lynn Road, Heacham PE31 7JE
• Tesco Swaffham, Brocks Road, Swaffham, PE37 7XG
• Downham Market Complementary Health Clinic, 93 Lynn Road, Downham Market, PE38 9QE
• Londis, 104 Canons' Walk, Thetford, IP24 3PT
• Camvac Thetford, Burrell Way, Thetford, IP24 3QY

Debz Dealz (left) is donating to the Dereham collection for Ukraine. She is pictured with volunteer Sarah Peck (Image: Archant)

Lauren Bean dropping off supplies at the Railway Tavern in Dereham (Image: Archant)

Donations being made at Morrisons in Dereham for people in Ukraine (Image: Archant)

Nathan Pearson, Chris Fuller and Shane Hart-Copey from Dereham firm Family Movers (Image: Archant)