A kind-hearted grandmother is appealing for last minute donations to help raise £3,000 and ship a truckload of goods to people living in poverty in the Ukraine.

Rosalind Bluestone, of Bullhead Road, Borehamwood, and founder of GOODS4GOODS, is trying to deliver 500 boxes of consumer goods to families in the east of the country.

Russia is backing an insurgency in Ukraine and Mrs Bluestone said she could “not sit back and do nothing”.

She was part of community project Gifts in Kind for the World Jewish Relief, but when it closed last year, she set up her own.

Mrs Bluestone said: “These people are living in extreme poverty and cannot afford school clothes, nappies, and basic things we take for granted.

“It’s been a very interesting experience and I feel encouraged by how much has been donated so far.”

Mrs Bluestone needs to raise £3,000 using a crowd-funding website to send the truck off to the Ukraine - and has until Sunday to complete her target.

The money raised will pay for the delivery of 500 boxes of items from donor companies in the UK to registered charities in the Ukraine.

She added: “I am confident I’ll make it. It’s been inspiring to see people I don’t know donate to help the cause, so I’m hoping I will achieve this.”

So far, she has raised £2,000. To donate, visit https://www.crowdshed.com/projects/goods4good-a-lifeline-to-those-in-desperate-need