Rowers put down the oars and started picking up boxes, as they collected donations to send to Ukraine’s refugees.

Evesham Rowing Club was transformed into a drop-off point last weekend.

Originally, the club had only intended to receive donations from club members, but word soon spread.

Club chairman, John Lomas, estimates that in total they received between three or four thousand pounds worth of goods.

He said: “Club helpers quickly assembled the boxes as donations started to pour in.

“The response was overwhelming from Club members and the public, and helpers were kept busy packaging and labelling the boxes.

“Over the two days an estimated £3-4,000 worth of goods were donated and stored in one of the Club’s squash courts.

“Well done to all Club members who made this appeal possible and to all the Club members and the public who donated so generously.”

One of the first to bring in donations was the club’s vice-captain, Andy Woodward, who works at Cotteswold Dairy.

Mr Woodward also supplied 40 boxes and tape to help organise all the donations.

On Monday the boxes were loaded on vans and taken to a collection hub at Sandfields Farm in Upper Moor.

Mr Lomas explained that the farm has strong connections with Ukraine, with many works coming over during the season.

He added: “The tragedy is that the men will be defending their country against the Russians.”