A whip-round within a local firm raised an incredible £12,000 to support the families of its Ukranian colleagues.
Big-hearted staff at Merson Group rallied round in an effort to help 15 fellow workers based in Wloclawek in Poland whose relatives have remained in the war-torn country.
Staff at the Kelvin-based digital signage company say they have been left "saddened" and "distressed" by the unfolding humanitarian situation as the deadly conflict with Russia enters a third week.
Desperate for vital aid to reach their families and friends who are choosing to stay in their homeland, their Ukranian colleagues compiled a list of essential items needed - such as first aid kits, sleeping bags, torches and rock climbing helmets - to help give them the best chance of survival.
With trucks bound for their Polish site each week, Merson Group have already filled a lorry load of goods, with a generous contribution from the Polish White Eagle Club in London added to the haul.
And the firm plan to send more aid each week from their Basildon factory to Poland for dispatch into Ukraine and to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Merson Group CEO Roddy Angus said: "Like everyone, we are deeply saddened and distressed by the unfolding humanitarian situation and initially, as a small group of people, we felt powerless to assist.
"Then our first thought was to help our own, having 15 Ukrainian colleagues at our site in Poland who are in an unbelievably difficult situation.
"Their primary concern is to get aid to their families and friends who remain in Ukraine and they have sourced vehicles and drivers to deliver essential supplies to them from Poland.
"They need to buy these supplies, so Merson staff have raised over £2500 and through Merson Group, inurface media and Merson Digital, the fund has been trebled with the supply mission now underway.
"I'm amazed at the amount of money that was raised, it will make a big difference. We have vehicles driving to Poland every week so we plan to keep sending aid to different charities from our factory in Basildon.
"It's horrendous what's going on, it's just unbelievable in this day and age. If we all do what we can in joining the global surge of support for the people of Ukraine, we can make a difference."
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week warned the country was 'on fire' and demanded an immediate ceasefire as Russian forces shelled suburbs in the capital Kyiv.
Attempts are being made to evacuate people through 10 humanitarian corridors across Ukraine.
It is hoped that progress will be made in evacuating civilians from besieged Ukrainian cities and getting emergency supplies to areas without enough food, water and medicine as talks take place between Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Along with the truckload of supplies from Merson, a £2000 donation of male and female underwear and 20 Playmobil sets for childen was gifted for the journey to Europe from social impact firm Smarty Pants.
It's co-founder Paul Johnston said: "After seeing the desperate images connected to the invasion of Ukraine we have been searching for means to get donations direct to the individuals who need it most.
"We are extremely grateful to Merson for giving us the opportunity to do so. Seeing families cross the borders with just the clothes on their backs is heartwrenching and we have the ability to help a little so we will."
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