A west Belfast food bank service has created a special jersey in a bid to raise funds to help refugees in Ukraine.
Foodstock on the Andersonstown Road has already sent two lorries packed with supplies to Ukraine to help those who have had to evacuate their homes and flee to safety.
Now, Paul Doherty, who founded Foodstock, has created a special Belfast/Ukraine solidarity jersey which will be sold to pay for more supplies to be sent.
Sending a lorry of supplies to Ukraine costs £4,800 each time.
While donations helped fund the first two lorries, money is now needed to send a further two in the coming weeks.
Foodstock approached O'Neills Sports Company, who designed the shirt.
The shirt, which costs £45, will be available from today only at Foodstock.
All the funds raised from the sale of the shirt will be donated to help send supplies to Ukraine.
Speaking to The Irish News, Paul Doherty, who travelled to Ukraine from Belfast with one of the relief lorries, said: "My heart swelled with pride to see the support that the people of west Belfast and right across the north provided to help people fleeing unimaginable horrors in Ukraine.
"People here have shown amazing solidarity in standing with the Ukrainian people who are being subjected to war crimes by Putin’s horrendous regime," he said.
"As proud as I am of the response from local people, I was heartbroken to see the suffering Ukrainians were experiencing during my visit last month.
"While we raised so much aid to help people, the need was huge and upon my return home I set about thinking of further ways we could provide help and support to the Ukrainian people during their hour of need".
Mr Doherty said the creation of the yellow and blue jersey "seemed the perfect way to raise money, while also showing our continued support".
"I never cease to be amazed by the capacity of people in this community to come together and support those less fortunate," he said.
"I’ve been lucky to have great support in launching this jersey. I’ve received the backing of Cliftonville FC and sports stars and community leaders from right across west Belfast. It’s a chance for us to show we continue to stand with the people of Ukraine and to support them in the face of tyranny".
Foodstock is located at 150F Andersonstown Road
