Hello everyone, Mairead here. They say a day is a long time in politics but it's a long time in war too. It feels like an age since Russian troops invaded Ukraine and yet it's not even a fortnight. In that time, the world suddenly seems smaller and peace more precarious, and the stories and pictures of human suffering are heartbreaking to watch and listen to.Yet, in the midst of this barbarity, the goodness of human nature continues to shine through.In Northern Ireland in four days alone, £1.4 million was donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee, and its charity partners are already delivering aid on the ground.Here, in the ABC and NMD council districts, and our surrounding towns, people from all walks of life have been leaving off supplies such as food, blankets, clothes, essential toiletries and much more to venues from business premises to community centres and Orange halls.The ABC Lord Mayor, Glenn Barr has thanked people after seven van loads of food and essentials were donated in just two hours following an appeal he had made.Many Ukrainians have made this area their home and we can only imagine how worried they are about family members and loved ones still in the country.All we can do is continue to support them as best we can, by giving what we can, and hope and pray that a peaceful, political solution is found as soon as possible.