Thousands have people have helped fill a 22 tonne truck full of goods for Jewish families in Ukraine to tuck into over an upcoming festival.

The lorry was filled with boxes of food and other items which is being driven directly to Ukraine in time for Passover.

On April 3, volunteers from the charity Gift were at Mill Hill United Synagogue sorting through the huge amount of donations that have come in from communities across north London and Hertfordshire.

Rabbi Sandor Milun, who is managing director of Gift, says more than 50 organisations have been involved including synagogues, schools, and youth groups.

Times Series: Gift volunteers at Mill Hill United SynagogueGift volunteers at Mill Hill United Synagogue

In Ukraine, there are thousands of Jews, including Holocaust survivors, still living in the country who are having to cope with the consequences of the war.

Gift founder Michelle Barnett says she spoke to a Rabbi in the eastern European country who revealed that the "shelves are empty" while Rabbi Milun had been told the situation is "desperate".

Times Series: Rabbi Sandor Milun and Conservative MP Matthew Offord at Mill Hill United Synagogue on April 3Rabbi Sandor Milun and Conservative MP Matthew Offord at Mill Hill United Synagogue on April 3

The collection of goods at the synagogue in Mill Hill, which was visited by Hendon MP Matthew Offord last Sunday, have been taken to Odessa where there is a large Jewish population which has been suffering from bombing in recent weeks.

Traditional dry Passover - or Pesach - food and drink has been collected such as matzah, crackers, condiments, grapejuice, cakes, biscuits, and tuna, along with toiletries and toys.

Times Series: The truck heading to Ukraine full of Passover goodsThe truck heading to Ukraine full of Passover goods

Rabbi Milun said: "This is one of the biggest days for Gift to do something good for the people in Odessa in Ukraine. Whatever we put on this truck is what they are going to eat for Pesach so it's very powerful that the whole community has come together.

"I’m going to have a delicious meal with my family and they should too. We have inspired over 50 organisations and schools to get involved and make communal collections and this all came together at Mill Hill United Synagogue."

Times Series: At Mill Hill United SynagogueAt Mill Hill United Synagogue

He added: "The rabbi in Odessa cried when we told him what we were doing – he said they have nothing and are desperate for it. Thank you to all those who have given and supported and keep doing good things."

Times Series: Gift founder Michelle Barnett and volunteer Laurie Reznik at Mill Hill United SynagogueGift founder Michelle Barnett and volunteer Laurie Reznik at Mill Hill United Synagogue

Michelle, who founded Gift 18 years ago, praised the "incredible response" from the community.

She added: "Gift is all about enabling giving and that is exactly what we’ve been able to do for this campaign, we feel very honoured and privileged to be able to do this."