Join Kettering's vigil for Ukraine this weekend

Kettering's Market Place will be a sea of blue and yellow when the town holds a peaceful vigil for Ukraine.

The event is being held as a show of support and solidarity to the people of the eastern European country, which has faced devastation during Russia's barbaric invasion.

On Sunday (March 6) at 12.30pm people will gather at the event organised by Kettering Refugee Assistance (KRA) and Northamptonshire Aid for Ukraine, supported by faith groups and political parties.

Emily Fedorowycz, chair of KRA, said: "People feel so helpless about what's happening, and this Sunday will give everyone a chance to come together and show their support for the people of Ukraine.

"It means so much just to be able to take a stand against this injustice.”

People attending are invited to wear blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, and to bring banners, flags, and blue and yellow flowers.

They will have the opportunity to leave their own messages to the people of Ukraine, which will be forwarded to the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK.

The vigil will last for about 40 minutes and will include short addresses and a reflective silence. It will end with suggestions about how people can practically help.

John Padwick, deputy chair of KRA, said: "This is a crisis that hits all of us hard. We want to make sure people have the chance to have their voice, and also to find out what they can do."

Attendees will also be invited to hold up blue and yellow paper for a photograph, where the aim will be to create an aerial view of the Ukrainian flag, if there are enough people to do so. The photo will be taken from the second floor of the Kino Lounge and the paper will be provided on the day.

Northamptonshire Help For Ukraine have been fundraising to send aid directly to those in need with thousands of items donated from people across the north of the county.

They're raising cash so a group of Ukrainian truckers, who have been stranded by the A14 at Rothwell, can take the donations to the war-torn country on their lorries.

To find out how to help, visit the fundraising group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032283884312146.

To donate to the fundraising page, which has already raised more than £3,000, visit https://www.collectionpot.com/pot/1411885/Thousands of people have died in the first week of the conflict in Ukraine, with more than one million people fleeing the country as Russian troops advance.

Apartment blocks, hospitals and Government buildings are among those to have been hit in missile attacks, with many people taking refuge in subway stations which are acting as bomb shelters.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in north Northamptonshire there are roughly 220 Ukrainian residents.