'Those who got out will be looked after but it is the people who are left there that need it most'

Devastated by the plight of the people left behind in the Slavutych and Chernihiv areas, Thomas Carpenter is setting up an appeal to bring much needed aid including foodstuff, medical aid and also veterinary supplies directly into the area.

"The people who got out will be looked after but it is the people who are left there that need it most. They have to try to keep the food chain going ," he said.

"The aid is not getting there. It is getting to Kviv but it is up to volunteers to get it the rest of the way to the areas that need it".

Thomas is raising money to organise specific aid that is needed in the north east of the country. He is particularly trying to help the remaining farmers and those that are left behind - those that cannot move - women with young infants, the elderly and the ill.

"We will be able to organise the logistics of getting this aid across the border and directly to the people who need it most."

Volunteers will use small vans to transport the aid through the forests to get to those that are desperate for the aid.

Thomas has arranged to use the Father Noel Conlon Charitable Trust for the donations which is a registered charity. To make a donation see gofundme.com 'Ukraine Direct Aid (North East of Ukraine).