A Felixstowe rugby playing church volunteer has admitted to being blown away by the amount of donations they ahem received to help Ukraine refugees.

Following a message from a friend in Poland, Jonathan Balshaw sent out a request to fellow players, churchgoers and residents in Felixstowe to drop off donations to his Tomline Road and was inundated.

Jonathan, known as Jonno, has helped collect more than 400 removal boxes full of a wide range if it's to send to Poland for those fleet the war in Ukraine.

He explained how it all came out when he started two weeks ago.

"I was off work with a damaged shoulder playing rugby," said Jonno. "A friend sent a message asking if we could help as a team from the White Eagle club saying they were sending things out to Poland "I put out a post asking people to drop things at our house and within a couple of days it became evident this had down larger than anticipated because we filled the entire front room of our house." While at training on the Wednesday he asked if we could use the rugby club to sort things out and from here it escalated. So much so they now use St Johns Church. Jonno said: "The first set went out on Friday March 4 and reached Poland last Sunday the stiff we collected this week was an even larger amount and we filled two 100ft storage unit, near TMA, the haulage company transporting the donations to Poland off their own back." The donations have been gratefully received and a second lorry is on its way. More than 200 individuals have donated and Jonno has been juggling doctor's appointments, he now knows he needs surgery, job interviews, he has now landed a job with an engineering company, and clearing his house. Jonno added: "It has been a great experience, people have been incredibly generous." The Balshaw family is well known for its volunteering efforts in Felixstowe with Jonno's parens both drivers for FACT and working with the Compass charity. They have also put their names forward to take in Ukraine refugee families and are working with a Romanian church to help people get across to Suffolk and sponsor refugees. It is understood more than 145,000 people have offered their services, with hopes of settling refugees next week. To find out more visit www.homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk. *Tell us your story: Add by using the black Nub It button on the home page. Or contact the editor: [email protected]