Building contractors have returned from Poland after driving three vans full of donations there for the people of Ukraine.

The group who have worked for Callisto Construction in Dartford set off on Friday afternoon after they received thousands of items in less than 48 hours.

The donations after being unpacked in Poland

Vilius Domarkas – who is originally from Lithuania and was one of the drivers – arrived in Poland at around 5pm on Saturday after about 15 hours of travel.

The team dropped the goods off at a donation centre in Zielona Góra, Poland, where they will be moved on to where they are needed.

He said: "It was long and emotional. When we arrived it was pretty empty, a van had just left before we arrived. It was mad to see how much we had brought in.

"There must have been about 20 of them unloading the vans. They were so organised."

The 33-year-old, who lives in Croydon but works in Dartford, added: "It was good as they have people to take it (from the centre to where it's needed) and we do not have to travel to the border. I did not want to create extra stress on the people there.

"They are going to give it to the people who need it.

"When we were standing in front of them, it was quite hard. They could not even put the words together or to show their appreciation."

The response to the Horton Kirby construction firm's appeal was so huge, the firm had to ask the British Red Cross to take four van loads, as they didn't have enough room.

They were helped by Dartford Valley Rugby Club and Swanley Rugby Club which acted as drop-off points last week.

Vilius is now looking to make more trips to Poland with donations but as part of his own solo mission.

He said: "I am having a little fight within me – do I make my children happy by spending the weekend with them or help save lives? We have got a lot of donations, our living room is so full you have to jump over the place.

"When the war is finished they are going to need help building back up."

You can donate to help fund his further trips here.

If you are looking for drop-off points in Gravesend, Oxley's Kitchen and JM Danslow Butchers both in Windmill Street and the Promenade Café down by the Riverside Leisure Area are collecting donations.

To find out more information on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, read our explainer here.