THE Wee County stands with Ukraine in the face of concerted aggression from Russia and Vladimir Putin.

That was the message from people in Alloa at the weekend as they gathered at the Wimpy Park to show their solidarity and sympathy, all while donating necessities for those devastated by the invasion.

On Sunday, February 27, folks arrived with blue and yellow chalk and crayons with children getting creative to show their support and to unequivocally say that Clackmannanshire cares.

Necessities such as long-life food including pasta and canned goods, sleeping bags, blankets, personal care and hygiene products including toothpaste and diapers, paper towels, candles, lighters, first aid kits were all being sought.

Also on the desired list of items are batteries, walkie-talkies, binoculars and night vision devices with collections set to continue.

People at the Wimpy Park Community Group have teamed up with Clackmannanshire Council and Clackmannanshire Third Sector Interface (CTSI) to manage the collections with items to go to those in need via Poland.

Karolina Juszczyk, a trustee at Wimpy Park Community Group, originally hails from Poland and is helping to co-ordinate the effort.

She told the Advertiser: “We all work in partnership because it's very important.

“These people are suffering just now [in Ukraine], it's very important that many people want to help them and sympathise with them.”

Collections have been taking place since Sunday and people can today (Wednesday) head along to the Wimpy Park between 10am and 3pm to show their support.

People will gather again this Sunday from 12noon while donations can also be handed in at the CTSI office in the town centre.

Karolina, who lives in Alloa, originally hails from the tranquil village Witków in Poland and has been in touch with relatives and friends at home.

She is horrified by the actions of Putin and his forces and cannot stand the fact that young men are being sent to war.

Speaking of the situation in Poland, she added: “It's very busy at the border, all Polish people came amazingly together, they provide every service that they can.”

Indeed, residents and firms are volunteering to ferry people to safety from the border, are offering their homes as safe refuge and an estate agent in her home village even offered spaces for some 60 people.

Karolina, who also has hopes for a mural to be painted in Alloa to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, added: “It's amazing that people are coming together; the whole of the UK as well is coming very well together – Scottish people, English people together working with Polish people – Alloa is starting to collect.”