A charity has risen out of the ashes of an arson attack to collect enough aid to help orphans in Ukraine.

Just nine months after the fire destroyed all its donated goods, Take Hope Yorkshire, based in Haworth, has received enough aid to fill two wagons.

It would normally have taken 18 months to collect the same amount but charity founder Andrew McVeigh, of Denholme, said people had responded with great generosity to its plight.

“The response has been stupendous. The fire brought in a massive amount of help after they read in the paper about what happened — we were on our knees at the time.

“And thanks to the owners of Dalton Mills, in Keighley, we’ve found a new collections base nearer to home,” said Mr McVeigh.

One wagon will set off from Keighley on November 29, loaded with special medical supplies, including hospital bed sheets, cleaning materials and hand sanitisers donated by Skin Kind, of Silsden.

Also on board will be supplies for a soup kitchen the organisation runs, goods from Bingley-based Damart and restored cycles donated by a Harrogate company.

Peter Black, in Keighley, has given toys and Haworth Hawks Table Tennis Club donated two table tennis tables. Setting off from Southampton, on December 2, will be a lorry packed with matresses donated by P&O from the refurbishment of the QE2.

Take Hope Yorkshire works in the Vinogradiv region, providing equipment for orphanages, a centre for children with disabilities, a rundown hospital, a charity providing meals for poor families and an under-funded fire service.

Its next goal is to establish a special house for orphaned youngsters, aged between 10 and 16, to give them life skills and prepare them for when they have to leave.