A charity shop in Dublin city centre has opened to provide free essentials, such as clothes, food, toys and baby items for Ukrainian refugees.
The 'Palyantsya' centre on Clarendon Street was set up by businessman Ruslan Mocharskyy, who has been in Ireland for a number of years.
The Ukrainian native owns branches of coffee shops around Dublin, but he says he has had little time to devote to his business in recent weeks.
Since the outbreak of war in his home country, he has been organising aid for Ukraine, sending trucks to Poland with essential supplies, but with a surplus of clothing at warehouses there, he decided to start offering it to the people arriving here from Ukraine.
The building, a former hair salon, was given to him free of charge, and with lots of help he got it up and running quickly.
"Normally this would take two or three months to organise, but we have done this in a week," he said.
Mr Mocharskyy said he has been delighted with the generosity of the Irish people and companies who have donated aid and items, but he said for this new shop, they need new things;
"Instead of five second-hand items, please just give one new item. It doesn't have to be expensive, but something new if possible, please," he said.
He added that small toys, kids clothing, baby formula and food for children are all needed.
There is a plan for an information office and for free haircuts, since the sinks are still in place, while Mr Mocharskyy said there are some doctors who might be able to provide medical care.
"But, that's for next week," he said.
"At the moment, today, the first day opening we just need to make sure it is running nice and smoothly."
Inside, Iryna Vlasova greets people as they enter, giving advice on what is available for people to take. She is an artist from Ukraine, who has been living here for more than a year.
She is emotional when she talks about why she is volunteering here.
"I have relatives at home, so I would like to do whatever possible to help the people here," she said.
Ms Vlasova said some of the women who arrived at the shop today did not want to take much.
"They don't dare to take all the things, like shampoo and shower gels, but I try to force them to take it," she said.
Ms Vlasova said she talks to people who come in, tries to chat to get to know what they need and whether their children need anything.
"I can see they are sad, but they are happy when they see there are people who want to help them."
Daria Moria arrived here on 9 March with her mother. They are both helping out at the shop and her mother used to run shops back home in Ukraine.
Ms Moria said most people are looking for clothes and shoes.
"When we left Ukraine, it was cold and we all wore warm shoes and boots. That's why people try to find something lighter, like sneakers and lighter clothes, because we don't have them."
She explained how working here is a good distraction for her and especially for her mother. If not, they spend too much time trying to find out what is happening at home.
Ms Moria brother, aunt and cousins are still in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Ambassador, Larysa Gerasko, greeted refugees in Clarendon Street this morning and said she was thankful to the Irish Government, but had a special mention for the people of Ireland.
"I would like to express a special tribute to Irish people for their huge response and for their generosity and hospitality and kindness," Ms Gerasko said.
"The support is so huge and amazing and I am thankful to our Ukrainians who live here for their generosity to our newcomers; our new immigrants."
