PETER Kyle has called on residents to donate camping stoves to help those caught up in the conflict in Ukraine.

The Hove MP urged people who want to help refugees to donate the equipment after news emerged that hundreds of the inexpensive stoves are needed urgently.

Mr Kyle, who worked as an aid worker in Eastern Europe and in the Balkans before entering politics, said: “Speaking to organisations on the frontline, I’ve been told that people in areas such as Mariupol are without food water and gas.

“The stoves will be taken out and will allow the people there to cook a hot meal.

“They cost as little as £20, can be ordered online and delivered straight to a drop-off point in Hove or bought and dropped off.

“For all the wonderful local residents contacting me about how they can help, this is the request I’m making.”

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Edward Heller, a Brighton local who is currently along the Hungarian-Ukrainian border, said the stoves will help keep people alive in desperate times.

He said: “It’s a dangerous trip to make, but there are experienced people on the ground who will ensure they get through - we just need them.”

Camping stoves can be dropped off at the cafe at All Saints Church, The Drive, Hove, from Mondays to Thursdays between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

Alternatively, stoves ordered online can be delivered directly to the appeal and addressed to Ukraine Appeal, All Saints Church, The Vicarage, Wilbury Road, Hove, BN3 3PB.

Mariupol, in the south-east of Ukraine, has been besieged by Russian forces for several days, with a missile striking a theatre that was being used as a shelter for civilians.

Roughly 130 people are known to have been rescued from the rubble of the theatre, but it is believed there were more than 1,300 in the basement of the building when the missile struck earlier this week.

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