Nearly three weeks into the war, the number of Ukrainians fleeing abroad passed three million on Tuesday, the United Nations said, as people escaped fighting and Russian bombardment.

Residents across the county have shown their solidarity with Ukraine since the start of the war by flying Ukrainian flags, holding emotional vigils and donating goods and money for all those leaving the war-torn country.

Weymouth Rotary Club president Jerry Way has been spearheading a rally across Weymouth to raise funds in a bid to help refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries.

Starting Friday (March 4), rotary club members and volunteers have been collecting donations throughout Weymouth as part of their Ukrainian Fundraising Appeal.

The club managed has so far managed to raise a whopping £13,000 for the cause, with the president of the club saying he was 'over the moon' and 'moved' by the support and generosity their collections had received from the public.

Volunteers for the rotary club have been in Morrisons on Dorchester Road collecting money this week and will also be in the town centre outside of The Range on New Bond Street on Friday and Saturday.

Mr Way, said that the club's volunteers plan to be collecting for Ukraine until the end of the month.

He said: "I want to say a big thank you to our band of volunteers and, of course, to the public for putting their hands in their pockets and continuing to donate.

"The amount raised just shows how much the generous people of this town care about the people affected by the crisis in Ukraine."

The Dorset Echo stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine

Local organisations, such as businesses and schools, have allowed their premises to be used as drop-off points for people wishing to make donations.

The Prince of Wales First School in Dorchester been the area's main drop-off point for donations and the school has been overwhelmed with gifts of aid with 'hundreds upon hundreds' of people coming to the school.

The school is collecting donations every Tuesday from 4pm-6pm. It has asked larger organisations (other schools, shops, faith groups) to go directly to the main drop-off area in Bournemouth.

Baker Jazro, who runs the Food Plus store in Great George Street in Weymouth, has also set up his shop up as a drop-off point for donations.

Mr Jazro said he started the campaign after being motivated to help the fellow countryman of his wife Olena, who is from Ukraine.

Both the upstairs and downstairs of the shop is being used to store donations.

Low Energy Designs Ltd, a British LED lighting manufacturer, has also opened the drop-off point at its premises in Blandford.

All drop-off points have said that items most required for donations currently include thermal blankets, sleeping bags/tents, hygiene essentials, feminine hygiene products, long shelf life/instant food, torches & batteries, warm coats, medicines, rain jackets, flasks, disposable cutlery, first aid equipment and sweets (for children).

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