A group of local people spearheaded by Alton resident Margaret Lockett are again raising money to help Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Previously, along with dozens of Ukrainians who have made Alton their home, they hosted a dance party, held a sell-out concert and baked cakes for the annual Victorian cricket day.

Altonians dug deep and helped to buy two fully stocked ambulances. They were delivered to within a few miles of the front line last year and have already helped bring dozens of people to safety.

Now the group want to kit out a hospital rehabilitation unit in Lviv in western Ukraine, far from the front line, where severely injured Ukrainians can receive essential care out of harm’s way before continuing their recovery at home with medical kit supplied from Alton donations.

Margaret Lockett said: “To fund this vital work and get this unit up and running, we’re partnering with Ukraine Mission CIC just as we did before.

“The team at Ukraine Mission liaise directly with local medical staff on the ground, making sure that we deliver exactly what’s needed and to the right place.”

Alton resident John Jacobs said: “Last year I had the honour of driving one of the ambulances bought by people in Alton.

“I drove it all the way into and across Ukraine. It opened my eyes to the dangers there and to the immense bravery of the people who work day in, day out to ferry injured people to safety.”

The latest fundraisers will begin with a dance party at the Alton Assembly Rooms on March 14 at 7.30pm, with local groups Bluestone Bills and the Carbon Copy Party Band thumping out dance classics. There will be home-cooked food, a bar and a raffle. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £10 for under-18s.

Alton town councillor Don Hammond said the first dance party last year was “brilliant”.

Hanna Honcharenko, who has been living in Alton since the war began in 2022, added: “We really needed this. I wish it could have been longer.”

Debbie Sansom said: “I wasn’t going to dance, but everyone was having such a great time I couldn’t stop myself.” Pauline Esland added: “My grandkids just loved it.”

A Voices for Ukraine night will be held at the Alton Assembly Rooms on March 26 at 7.30pm, featuring the Alton Community Choir and the Basingstoke Hospital Male Voice Choir. There will be a bar and a raffle. Tickets cost £15 for adults and £10 for under-18s, which includes a free glass of wine or a soft drink.

Tickets for both events are available at the Newbury Building Society in Alton High Street, Holybourne post office, from Margaret Lockett on 07543 125195 or through Eventbrite.

Donations can be made at http://localgiving.org/fundraising/Alton-Ambulance-Appeal-for-Ukraine