WELLINGTON has continued its outpouring of support for the beleaguered people of Ukraine, with the town’s most prominent symbol, Wellington Monument, being lit up at night in blue and yellow, the national colours of Ukraine.

Local builder Scott Cordy, who was delayed by Covid, arrived in Poland yesterday with a van packed with goods for Ukrainian refugees.

Donations of goods for Ukrainians are still being accepted at the Beambridge Inn just outside Wellington, as well as Wellington Methodist Church and Wellington Tile Company - donors should call the latter first due to time constraints.

A family of refugees has arrived in Wellington from Ukraine. The father and two young sons, who have been described as ‘quite traumatised’ arrived earlier this week, and have been helped with furniture, kitchen equipment, toys, DVDs, clothes and food from townspeople. Locals have offered English lessons.

Mayor of Wellington Mark Lithgow told the WWN the town was pulling together to help Ukrainians. “I’ve been taking lots of calls from people who want to help,” he said. “The petition to illuminate the monument was unprecedented in the speed that it gathered and had an effect. People are collecting goods and sorely-needed funds for the poor citizens of Ukraine.”

Dan Saunders, of the Somerset Sign and Print Company, has printed scores of bumper stickers in blue and yellow which say ‘I Support Ukraine’ which are available free of charge from the company’s offices at the Foxmoor Business Park.

In Wiveliscombe a van-load of goods was collected this week. Donations are still being accepted at St Andrew’s Church, the North Street Garden Centre and the Community Offices until 11am on Friday. Ania Bordon, of the group Help for Ukraine Taunton, which has been collecting donations from around the area, said: “It has been the most extraordinary two weeks of our lives. We collected and wrapped over 92 pallets of donations for Ukrainian refugees. It was a pleasure to meet all you generous and amazing people.”

It will continue to accept donations until the end of next week but are looking for someone ‘who will take over and will cherish our beginnings and continue helping people’.