A SHIPPING company has been piling in its own time, money and resources to bolster Southampton’s Ukraine appeal.

LV Logistics, based in Eastleigh, “jumped at the opportunity” to support the city’s Polish Social Club when it launched a donation point last month.

Since, it has played a key part in providing and transporting supplies for refugees as the Russian invasion rages on.

James Banks of LV Logistics said his company, which is part of the Royal Dutch LV, has partnered with international clients Ben Cross at PB Asher and Ludo Van Herk.

He has been the main contact with Paulina Kozlowska, 38, who is a co-ordinator at the Polish club.

Daily Echo: Paulina with LV Paulina with LV

“We got in contact with a few others in the industry, and before you knew it, we had ten pallets full of stuff worth around 20,000 Euros,” Mr Banks told the Echo.

“Paulina and I have been in touch constantly, and she’ll be asking what we’ve got. She sends over shopping list, as she calls it.

“We are trying to do what we can. I think a lot of us want to do something physically to help but we can’t do much, so we have dedicated our efforts to the aid side of things.”

LV has donated a range of items including nappies, sanitary products and other essentials.

READ MORE: Southampton school hit by staff Covid outbreak forcing some children to study at home

Mr Banks continued: “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t great exposure for the business, but we are spending our own hard-earned money to help out. Ludo Van Herk are a family-owned business and together, we have been doing what we can.

“The market is relatively quiet at the moment and we will continue to do our bit for our friends in Ukraine.”

Mr Banks said his team would be happy to help the efforts "in any way possible".

Southampton City Council has announced that the vacant Toys R Us complex at Western Esplanade will be made available to the Polish Social Club in the next few days.

The volunteers have been so overwhelmed with donations that they require a much larger storage room.

Newsquest & LOCALiQ are fundraising for The British Red Cross Society to support the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/therewithukraine.