Northwich has opened its arms to support the people of Ukraine in their hour of need.

I was among community leaders to address a moving vigil of solidarity at Barons Square following Putin’s barbaric attack.

Around 200 residents gathered, some wearing the blue and yellow colours of Ukraine.

One woman held a banner which read ‘Slava Ukraini!’ or ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ as a symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty and resistance.

Present in the crowd was a Ukrainian family that my team and I helped find sanctuary with relatives in Northwich by securing visas.

Hanna and daughters Viktoriia, 15, and Anastasiia, six, received a round of applause which I know meant a lot.

Hanna had to leave her husband Valeriy – the girls’ father – behind as he fights for the very survival of their country and the life they had enjoyed.

The family speak to him on the phone every day but are naturally worried sick. So the welcome they have received from Northwich is heartening.

And it’s good to learn the fine words spoken at the vigil have been backed up with deeds.

For example, the little girl has since celebrated her sixth birthday here, separated from her loving dad. Friends of the wider family rallied round to create some normality by visiting with cards and presents.

Hanna and her girls, who left Ukraine with just one bag of essentials, are among an estimated 2.7 million-plus refugees to flee the country with little more than the clothes on their back.

Huge numbers of destitute people are arriving at Ukraine’s borders with neighbouring countries like Poland. Once again, Northwich stepped up. 

An appeal was started by the Polish community through a group known as ‘Collection For Ukrainian Refugees’.

Northwich Town Council and the Changing Lives Together charity then offered to set up a unit at Barons Quay to cope with the enormous volumes of donations.

Last Friday a van containing donated medical supplies set off for Ukraine followed on Saturday by a huge truckload of items bound for Poland.

I popped in to thank volunteers and was blown away by, not only their kindness, but that of the community at large in terms of how much stuff had been given.

That love, compassion and solidarity now needs to be matched by our legislators and parliamentarians in providing sanctuary for all who need it.