Weymouth Rotary Club members and volunteers have been out on the streets of Weymouth collecting donations throughout the town as part of their Ukrainian Fundraising Appeal.

The idea was first raised by one of the club's members, Alan Burt, who started the plan to raise funds for the refugees who are fleeing the increasing danger in their home country.

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Collectors were out in the town centre outside The Range as well as outside the McDonald's in Jubilee Retail Park on Friday and Saturday, with collectors also set up outside Weymouth Football Club before and after Saturday's match. Collections are also taking place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week at the Morrisons on Dorchester Road.

Club president Jerry Way said: "It's going absolutely fantastically and I have been so amazed by all the support we have gotten from the public.

"Everybody was saying that they wanted to do something and were grateful for the opportunity to give money and to have somewhere to donate. People were so pleased to see us out - the response really has been very moving."

Mr Way said the club are going to be deciding later this week whether to continue collecting for the cause throughout the whole of March.

He added: "We do feel that there is a lot of support for this."

In just the few days that Weymouth Rotary members have been collecting, it's thought they have already raised several thousands of pounds. Mr Way believes that they have received five times what they would normally raise from their normal collections.

Picture: Weymouth Rotary Club

Mr Way wanted to thank Morrisons and McDonald's in Weymouth, as well as Dorset Council, which he said rushed through the street trading licences and worked really hard to make sure that the rotary club members were legally set up to collet in the street.

He also thanked Sherrens The Printers on Granby Industrial Estate, Weymouth Football Club, the Dorset Echo, for publishing its appeal for volunteers and a huge thank you to all the volunteers who stepped forward to help with the collections.

Weymouth Rotary Club is also taking donations supporting the appeal directly. Cheques payable to Weymouth Rotary Club supporting the appeal can be sent to Pilgrim House, Hope Square, Weymouth, DT4 8TU.

For more information on how to donate, contact Mr Way at jway@imluk.com.