A Manx Rotary club has donated £4,000 to help provide essential equipment and electricity supplies to an orphanage and families affected by the war in Ukraine.

The Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann has joined forces with Oswestry Borderlands Rotary Club in Shropshire and volunteer group Shropshire Supports Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid.

The initiative has already provided a Hyundai diesel generator, a refurbished washing machine and a heavy-duty commercial tumble dryer to an orphanage caring for 120 children.

The equipment is intended to improve hygiene and living conditions for the children.

The remaining funding will be used to purchase silent generators for families and communities facing electricity shortages in the Kharkiv region, close to the frontline.

The size and capacity of the generators will be determined by local requirements and technical advice from people working in Ukraine.

Paul Winnell, from the Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann, said: ‘Providing clean clothes and reliable warmth is a basic human dignity that these children deserve.’

He added: ‘But as infrastructure challenges persist, power is the next critical frontier.’

He said the partnership would help ensure communities received generators suited to their needs, supporting essential services, heating and clean water.

Michael Crowe, chairman of the club's foundation committee, said the project demonstrated Rotary's continued support for Ukraine.

He said working alongside organisations with direct links to Ukrainian communities would help ensure aid was practical and tailored to local needs.

Shropshire Supports Ukraine is a volunteer organisation which collects and distributes humanitarian supplies to civilians affected by the conflict.

The Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann is one of three Rotary clubs on the Island.

Anyone wishing to support the initiative can contact the club through its website for details about making a donation.