THE people of Gourock are sending £4,000 in aid to help children living in an under-siege Ukrainian city this Christmas.

Refugee Marina Gorbunova, who arrived in the town earlier this year from the embattled port of Mykolaiv, has inspired a big fundraising appeal by locals.

We told how the 55-year-old - who has three sons fighting on the frontline in the region where the Ukrainian forces have launched a major offensive - ran an aid operation in her home city before she was finally forced to flee.

The businesswoman then joined forces with the Gourock Rotary Club to arrange a benefit concert and other events in a heartwarming show of unity.

She is also being supported by community project Rig Arts to help her cope with her trauma, turning to painting as a form of therapy and show of love for her family left behind back home.

Marina says she is so grateful for the outpouring of support she has had since coming here.

She said: "I would like to thank all of my friends, neighbours and the people of Gourock for all their help in raising this money.

"It will help the children living in my city so much.

"I have so many people to thank for this.

"I love Gourock, I love Inverclyde and I have made so many friends here already.

"The money they have contributed will help with disaster relief for the children of Ukraine in my city of Mykolaiv."

Marina came to Gourock thanks to the sponsorship of local woman Mary Clarke and joined the rotary club.

As her entire family remains in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, Marina waits anxiously every day for news.

When the war began Marina was part of an operation to get medicine and food to people left in the city.

As the destruction continued she took comfort in her art, drawing portraits of her family - her three sons George, Yuri and Eugene and daughter Sophia, who were all separated by the war.

Since moving to Inverclyde she has joined Rig Arts, where artist Jim Strachan and Rig Arts owner Karen Orr work with her.

Marina said: "My drawings have gradually bought me back to life.

"As a child l drew a lot and even graduated from art school but more than forty years have passed since then.

"The war and the sleepless nights under rocket fire in Mykolaiv brought me back to drawing.

"During the hours of the most massive shelling, I did not go to the shelter - I closed the curtains tightly, turned on my favourite album and began to draw my children.

"This was my prayer for all the children, especially my three boys, who are at the front now."

Gourock Rotary Club was delighted to hand over nearly £4,000 to the Ukrainian appeal and their recent charity donations amounted to £7,000 in total, with £1,500 going to the foodbank, £1,000 to the Salvation Army, £500 to Kids Out and £500 to Clydeview Academy.