Solidarity events to show support to the people of Ukraine have taken place at focal points in Hitchin - Windmill Hill and in the market square.

The events have been in aid of Hitchin-based charity Humanitas - which works to get humanitarian aid to those in crisis.

The charity been collaborating with organisations and businesses in town to drum up funds for medical supplies to reach those desperately in need in eastern Europe as a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

The Comet: The candlelight vigil in Market Place, Hitchin.The candlelight vigil in Market Place, Hitchin. (Image: Humanitas)

Hitchin BID - the town's Business Improvement District - and The Half Moon pub were involved with a candlelight vigil last Wednesday in Market Place, where people could give whatever pennies they could spare and light candles in support of Ukraine.

The Half Moon's landlady Emily Best-English said: "For all the suffering that is occurring, we can only hope to help, even in the smallest of ways by coming together as a community."

Tom Hardy, Hitchin BID manager, told the Comet: "It is really distressing seeing what is going on in Ukraine and we are working to help in whatever way we can.

"We are collecting at the information centre on Humanitas' behalf, we have been linking up businesses who can help, and, of course, we've had the Ukraine flag at Market Place for weeks.

The Comet: The Light a Candle in Solidary with Ukraine vigil in Market Place.The Light a Candle in Solidary with Ukraine vigil in Market Place. (Image: Humanitas)

"There has been a really positive response from businesses, absolutely, So many are doing as much as they possibly can, We do have businesses who are still trying to recover from the pandemic and there are some who can't afford to help but are doing what they can in different ways."

The solidarity event in Windmill Hill, the day before, took place as part of Peace Awareness Week - and was organised by the Yoga Shed, The Victoria pub, Jolly Brown and the Bumblebee Collective.

The Hermitage Coffee Shop supported the event by selling coffees and donating proceeds to Humanitas.

The Comet: A banner at Yoga Shed solidarity eventA banner at Yoga Shed solidarity event (Image: Humanitas)

The charity's Joanne Wearne said: "Thanks to the people of Hitchin, our supporters and businesses we are now arranging our third batch of medical supplies to be taken into Ukraine."

For the online appeal and more about Humanitas' work, see their website humanitascharity.org.