The Tameside Radio presenter writes about the latest developments in Ukraine and efforts locally to help the Ukrainian people in their hour of need.

It's been another week full of moments that future generations will read about in the history books. 

It's now over a fortnight since the shelling of Ukraine began, and footage of women and children scurrying across a makeshift bridge, literally running for their lives, will stay in my mind for a long time after watching Alex Crawford's report on Sky News.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared on video from Kyiv on Tuesday night to a hushed House of Commons, and evoked the spirit of Winston Churchill as he vowed his country will not stop fighting. 

It's incredible to think he was a comedian and the voice of Paddington Bear in Ukraine before becoming the country's president, and moving the world with his words and leadership. 

Fears of nuclear war were common in pop music in the early 80s, including enduring classics like Nena's 99 Red Balloons and OMD's Enola Gay. 

When we learned a nuclear plant had been bombed last week, it really felt like the world had been thrown back behind an iron curtain, and a new Cold War was emerging. 

In spite of Russia's best efforts, brave reporters on the ground have ensured the real story of what's happening is told. 

It can be very difficult to watch, but it's so important. 

On Tameside Radio, we've been running the DEC Appeal adverts, along with most local and national radio stations across the UK. 

They were voiced free of charge by David Tennant, and since the campaign launched, it's raised an incredible £1 million an hour for the DEC's work providing those fleeing their homes with food, water, shelter, medical assistance and trauma care. 

You can text 'radio' to 70150 to instantly give £10. 

It didn't feel right to pen something about films, weight loss, car trouble or any of the other trivial things that crossed by mind when planning my column this week. 

One thing that has struck me is how the Ukraine war has brought out some of the community spirit we saw early in the first national lockdown. 

I honestly think this country's at its best when we look out for each other, and we've seen loads of that happening across Tameside and Glossop. 

From Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service organising a car wash at their fire stations this weekend, including Ashton and Hyde on Sunday, to Glossop's Victoria Hall donating the 50p entry fee on Saturday from their annual Spring Fair to the British Red Cross, people are rallying round to do their bit. 

Ashton's Ukrainian Centre was overwhelmed by people's generosity last week when they opened last Thursday. 

If you're organising something, contact us at Tameside Radio and we'll happily mention for you on air. 

You'll see plenty more examples of fundraising in this newspaper. 

Social media can often bring out the worst in people, but I'm seeing a lot of humanity and genuine desire to help others. 

That's the one positive I'm taking from another harrowing week for a European country under attack from tanks and mortar shells. 

Party politics was put aside on Tuesday in Parliament, and that's how it should be. 

There are a few noisy ranters making videos in their bedroom, and that will always be the case, but most want to help. 

And that's really positive, in a time when it's difficult not to conclude the world is quite a scary and bleak place. 

You can listen to Alex every weekday from 7am to 11am and on the 'Super Scoreboard' show on Saturdays from 3pm to 7pm, on Tameside Radio 103.6FM. 

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