As the Russian invasion of Ukraine reaches the one-year milestone this week, The Oldham Times has looked at what has gone in Oldham in relation to the war.

From welcoming refugees to charity events, the ongoing situation has had a major impact in the borough.

Refugees

In the months following the invasion, tens of thousands of Ukrainians entered the UK, with dozens settling in Oldham.

AID Ukraine 22 found homes for families across the borough, who arrived with very little as they were forced to flee the country so quickly.

As Stefan Moroz, a member of Oldham's Ukrainian Community said back in May last year: "Many who have come just have one set of clothes and the most meagre of personal possessions."

As Ukrainians became settled in the borough, they benefited from work that was done to provide clothes and food to them, as well as other items.

While those who arrived in Oldham received help, there was also lots of fundraising efforts to help those still in their homeland or in neighbouring countries.

Fundraising and charity work

Many businesses and schools helped to raise money to help those still so close to the conflict, including one of Oldham's best known fundraisers, Steve Hill MBE.

Steve's Team Hill Charitable Trust launched an appeal for people to donate items to help support those who had fled to Poland.

The items were loaded into an ambulance and were transported by John Paul Gilmour.

There were also fundraising and donation efforts from Oldham firefighters, an Oldham gin distillery, local business Ultimate Products, schools and many more.

With the help of readers of The Oldham Times and other Newsquest-owned papers, the company managed to raise more than £30,000.

What comes next?

The war in Ukraine continues to rage on and Russian president Vladimir Putin is showing no signs of looking to end the conflict.

There remain millions of Ukrainians displaced all over Europe and beyond.

Recent data also shows more Ukrainian households are facing homelessness in Oldham and across the country.

While those still in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries continue to need support, so do those close to home.