A COUNCILLOR has donned Albion's away kit as part of the team's fundraiser for Ukraine.

Peter Atkinson, who represents North Portslade on Brighton and Hove City Council, showed his support for those fighting and fleeing the Russian invasion with the yellow and blue kit - the same colours as the Ukrainian flag.

Profits from the kit by the Seagulls will be donated to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Cllr Atkinson also added the word 'Ukraine' to his shirt to emphasise his solidarity with those in the country.

He said: "We all feel pretty helpless if we're honest, but this feels like a tiny way of supporting Ukrainians and their country.

"The actions of Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his cronies are despicable and disgusting and one can only hope that sanctions bring them to their senses and stop this dreadful and unlawful conflict."

The Argus: Albion players wore their away kit colours for fixtures this weekendAlbion players wore their away kit colours for fixtures this weekend

More than £10,000 has been raised by Albion fans purchasing the kits, which were worn by both the men's and women's teams in their fixtures last weekend.

A statement released by Albion said: “With both the men’s and women’s first-team fixtures being broadcast live in the UK and in a huge number of other countries around the world this weekend, Albion have opted to sport the colours of the Ukrainian flag — as they did last weekend in their respective men’s and women’s away fixtures — instead of the club’s traditional blue-and-white stripes.”

Deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber added: “We continue to be horrified by the events in Ukraine and wish to show our support for all those affected. We reiterate the many calls for peace.

“We were proud to wear yellow and blue in both matches last weekend, and felt the gesture of changing the colours for our home fixtures this weekend would further amplify the message and continue to show our solidarity with all those suffering as a result of this terrible conflict.”

Besieged Ukrainians are holding out hope that renewed diplomatic talks with Moscow might open the way for more civilians to evacuate, as Russian forces keep up their pressure on the capital Kyiv.