A former Scots soldier who has been helping rescue Ukrainians says hungry women and children in crisis-hit areas have been "forced to eat dog food".
Former Army Officer Simon Atkinson, 51, has spent six weeks rescuing locals and transporting food supplies in the war-torn country.
The Glasgow man sprung into action following Russia's invasion of the country and says he has been "frustrated by the lack of impetus" shown by larger aid agencies in delivering aid to the frontlines.
He's now launched a fundraiser to help support a humanitarian aid distribution network and hopes to raise £100,000, reports Glasgow Live.
Simon said: "Thanks to the time spent working alongside the Ukrainian diaspora, I have access to an in-country logistics and distribution network staffed by local logistics professionals, who will transport food, and other humanitarian aid from origin to destination.
"Warehouses in the country are at critical levels and the supply chain is essentially dead. Not just for food and consumables, but also for essential medical resources to stock hospitals, clinics and pharmacies, Some may say that is understandable - but it is actually mostly avoidable.
"We will buy, transport and distribute essential aid to the people needing it the most – whether they are in Mariupol, Odessa, Kharkiv or Kyiv."
He added: "I am frustrated at the lack of momentum, ingenuity, determination, drive and good old fashioned guts, shown by groups sat on millions whilst I hear of women and kids in Mariupol eating dog food because they have nothing else."
Volunteers also expressed "extreme concern" about how the war will affect the global supply of grain, with Ukraine being one of the world's biggest exporters of wheat, corn and sunflower oil.
Simon added: "Many civilians are fighting, resulting in a grain shortage that will drive up global food prices to unprecedented levels.
"Next year’s crop may not be planted - certainly not at the scale needed. There is concern that a long term shortages of staple items is now almost inevitable."
Simon has urged other organisations in need of help distributing items to get in touch.
You can find out more on the campaign page.
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