INDEPENDENT high street businesses in Maldon have come together to raise more than £1,500 for charities to help people in Ukraine.

Vicki Meredith, who owns Reed Hair in 24A High Street, decided she needed to do something to help after seeing the crisis in Ukraine.

Vicki co-owns the popular salon, which has been in the street for more than 15 years, with her sister Jane Williams.

She said: "After watching the dreadful suffering of the people of Ukraine I decided to contact our small businesses in and around Maldon High Street to see how we could help."

>>> Man from Burnham in amongst Ukraine war after birthday trip

Then Vicki set up the Maldon Small Businesses Stand With Ukraine Just Giving page and raised more than £1,000 in the first 24 hours of the page being live.

All money donated to the page will go to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal run by The British Red Cross Society.

However, it's not just a fundraiser, as every £5 donation counts as a ticket for a raffle.

Those who are donating are not only helping Ukrainians but will also be placed into the prize draw with the chance to win one of the 30 prizes from 30 businesses.

Reed Hair’s prize donation is a hamper worth £180.

On the businesses involved, Vicki said: "They have been so generous and businesses are contacting me daily to join."

>>> Donations collected in Maldon district heading to Ukraine

The appeal has now raised £1,695 of its £2,000 targret.

Donations to the fundraiser are open until March 31 when the draw will take place.

To get involved, visit the Just Giving page bit.ly/3MSiWNY.

Raffle tickets are also being sold in some of the high street shops including Reed Hair, Maldon Books, Silo, Willow and Fox and Serendipity Gift and Tea Shop.

Donations to the humanitarian appeal by the British Red Cross will help by providing food, first aid, clean water, medicine and other essentials as well as supporting hospitals and healthcare facilities, fire fighters and civil protection units.

It will also go towards training people up in first aid, helping families stay in contact, educating people on the risks of explosives and repairing infrastructure, homes, healthcare centres, schools and community centres.