In pictures: Ukraine donations pile high across the UK

Volunteers in Northampton sort donations before loading them into a lorry destined for Ukraine.

Reuters Volunteers pack donations of essential goods and clothing at the Tesco Express car park, from where the lorry will be driven to Ukraine once filled, in Northampton — Volunteers in Northampton sort donations before loading them into a lorry destined for Ukraine.

Across the UK, people have been donating clothes, bedding and toiletries to around one million Ukrainians who have fled the country since Russia invaded, as well as those in need in the country. Collection points have been set up everywhere from beauty salons to supermarket car parks.

The generosity has been so great that some organisers have had to limit what they are willing to take in, or refuse them altogether. Some charities are asking for cash donations instead, as it bypasses the need to transport donations hundreds of miles, and cash can reach people quickly to buy what is needed.

In Barton in North Yorkshire, Marta Libera is particularly worried about the women and children who have lost their homes. She told the BBC she has been collecting nappies, wipes and baby formula to send to Poland, her home country.

Marta Libera standing by a car boot full of donations

She's not alone. In Hartlepool, volunteers have been collecting donations from members of the community who want to help.

Getty Images A volunteer carries donations through a street in Hartlepool

In a community hub, they are sorted through and categorised by a team of volunteers.

Getty Images Two volunteers assess donations in Hartlepool

Collection points like these have sprung up everywhere. In Halifax, the furniture in a residential home lounge is barely visible under bags stuffed with warm clothing.

Getty Images Volunteers sort through donations made following an appeal for items for Ukrainians displaced by the invasion on their country by Russia, at a residential house in Halifax, northern England, on March 2, 2022.

Donations have been collected in car parks like this one outside a supermarket in Northampton.

These hubs look very different across the country. Donations have been collected in car parks like this one. Outside a supermarket in Northampton, volunteers have been loading essential goods and clothing into a van that will be driven to Ukraine.

Reuters Volunteers load donations into a van in a carpark in Northampton. — These hubs look very different across the country. Donations have been collected in car parks like this one. Outside a supermarket in Northampton, volunteers have been loading essential goods and clothing into a van that will be driven to Ukraine.

At Sweetcheeks Beauty Salon in Dawley, Telford, manager Rachel Evans has traded in her day job to help a Ukrainian colleague who wants to get supplies to those who need them.

One lot of donations has already been sent, she told BBC Radio Shropshire - including period products, nappies, clothing and bedding. One man even brought in a tent and gazebo. "It's been phenomenal really, the response we've had," she added.

Rachel Evans at Sweetcheecks Beauty Salon

The quantity has been so great that one location near Leeds visited by the BBC on Thursday had asked people to stop donating altogether.

A sign by a road asking people to stop donating.

At the White Eagle club in London, over 100 volunteers have been sorting through masses of bags.

Reuters Volunteers sort through donations at the White Eagle Club

Magda Harvey, one of the organisers, told the BBC people queued for an hour and a half to give donations. "We've got so many offers of free transport, whole trucks. We are loading truck after truck," she said.

The club is working with international charities to keep an updated list of what is needed to avoid unwanted donations. "Ukrainians that have fled the country, they lost everything," Ms Harvey adds. "They left everything behind. I don't want them to lose their dignity by offering them something that they don't want."