Volunteers who have been sending around £30,000 in aid to Ukraine each week are being supported with an American supper night.

The fundraising event featuring live music from soul and funk band Play will be at The Alma pub in Deal from 7pm on Saturday, April 23.

People are invited to take their own nibbles but must purchase drinks from the venue - whose hire has been given free of charge.

Tickets are £10 and all money raised will go to the Deal Ukraine Relief Fund which is being managed by Donna Walker from Maxted's pet shop.

Fundraiser Kerry Banks BEM, said: "Myself and Jonothan Bowles are holding this event to raise critical funds.

"All we are asking the lovely people of Deal to do is what we do best and make this event a sell out and help our Ukrainian friends."

To buy a ticket at £10, call 07813 881848 or email admin@runashore.co.uk To donate a raffle prize, call 07708 913976.

'We are asking the lovely people of Deal to do is what we do best and make this event a sell out...'

Mrs Walker set up the local appeal about five weeks ago.

Each week, she and her group of volunteers have been sending out around £30,000 worth of donations.

This is due to links she has made with a number of Polish HGV drivers and the use of a storage warehouse on the outskirts Sandwich.

She says the items are being divided up between people in Poland and soldiers on the front line in Ukraine.

She said: "We know the items are going directly to the soldiers. It's helping them to refill their first aid kits, allowing them to be able to shave and stay hygienic, as well keep their torches lit."

She added: "We would like to thank everybody for being so kind and thoughtful.

"The amount of people donating has slowed but the volume has stayed the same."

She is also continuing to collect general toiletries and long life food items, as well as no longer used prescribed medications.

She said: "We know nearly everybody has got a whole collection of prescribed medicines sitting in their cupboards that they don't use.

"As long as they are sealed and in date, we want them. Anything from a prescribed nappy rash cream to lifesaving inhalers."

These can be dropped off at Maxteds Pet, Aquatic & Garden in the High Street between the hours of 10am and 4pm daily.

Regular updates are being posted on a new Facebook page 'Deal Kent Ukraine appeal'.

Meanwhile in Sandwich, the Sandwich Rotary Hub at 6a Strand Street is re-opening for donations.

They are asking for specific donations of thermos flasks, sleeping bags, water purification tablets, solar lamps, electrical generators 5W and 10W, torches, children and adults underwear, nappies and cooking utensils.

It will be open from 10.30am to 3.30pm on Thursday, April 14 and Saturday, April 16 and then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Sandwich Rotary is one out of 72 clubs that make up the southeast district and thanks to the connections of fellow Rotarians a lorry has been pledged to transport aid.

Already, the group has been gifted 350 boxes of PPE equipment and other essential medical aid which is currently sitting in a warehouse in Redditch.

The group is appealing for a willing haulier to collect and bring these items to Kent for onward transport with the next two weeks.

If you could help, email seandoherty84@gmail.com

Elsewhere in the town, Sandwich Community Christmas Lights Committee has decorated the lights of St Peters Church Tower with the colours of blue and yellow to show support to Ukraine.