As part of a Newsquest-wide campaign to support the Ukraine appeal, The D&S Times is looking back at some of the heroic efforts from people here, right across the North East.
Since the first Russian troops on the ground 21 days ago, at least 15,000 have been left dead, around 1,700 buildings have been destroyed and almost three million people displaced.
From war and destruction, the world has rallied around Ukraine and the Ukrainian people across the globe and instilled a sense of unity to those that needed hope more than ever.
Read more: Ukraine appeal: Newsquest launch #ThereWithUkraine campaign - how to help
And the North East has been no different.
Collections, vigils, protests, events and so much more have been taking place from Darlington to Durham and Richmond to Newcastle.
Read more: Darlington residents donate thousands of items for Ukraine
During the reporting of the crisis, we have seen a concerted effort for the people of Ukraine, whether it is in the people who have travelled 24 hours to the Ukraine/Poland border, or those organising collection drives in their own towns, villages, and cities, we’ve seen it all.
Among just some of those helping was the Langley Moor village community, near Durham, who united to look after three stranded Ukrainian truck drivers, who had been forced to stay over here, due to the danger awaiting back home.
In the community, residents and businesses had jumped to the rescue, offering up food, money, clothes, accommodation and even haircuts.
Stephen Bromley, who owns the Littleburn Café on the Langley Moor industrial estate, was among those in the village helping out and said people in the area had "massive hearts" and a huge community spirit.
Similar acts of kindness were seen from Bishop Auckland businessman Jack Vincent, who pulled out all of the stops to make a trip to Poland and help those refugees fleeing their war-torn home.
Using donations from people in County Durham, Mr Vincent successfully transported clothing, food and technology items to those most in need.
In Darlington, the Firthmoor Community Centre went above and beyond for Ukrainians – donating a massive 150,000 items to the cause.
From there, they were then packed into 1,337 boxes before being transported into a large storage facility for dispatch to the Ukraine/Poland border.
Down the road in Middlesbrough, owner of My Lock Up self-storage, Kevin Doyle travelled the 1400 miles from the North East to Poland with a three-strong convoy after “seeing the atrocities on television”.
Everyone from Middlesbrough Football Club to libraries around Teesside got involved in the collection efforts organised – which has sent thousands of items to Ukraine in recent weeks.
Staying on Teesside, personal trainer Mike Hind was among those who travelled to the Ukraine/Poland border delivering essentials after a monumental effort to get as many people from his community involved.
In Thornaby, near Stockton, owner of The Last Post Memorial Bar, Julie Cooper, was left overwhelmed with the generosity of the people of the town.
Following a call-out for goods on Facebook page, staff and volunteers were inundated with nappies, nappy rash cream, baby food, baby milk and feminine hygiene products.
In North Yorkshire, Millbury Hall in Richmond was used as a collection centre for essential items, while North Yorkshire County Council have also stepped up to become a vital agency in the help for Ukraine.
On a political front, as well as attending debates in House of Commons, MPs from our region have also set up collections of their own or championed those that have.
City of Durham MP, Mary Kelly Foy, managed to collect hundreds of items in just a few days of launching a campaign, with the political party divide taking a break to focus on something more important: helping those in an unimaginable situation.
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