GENEROUS donations from the public are helping to bring a book of Ukrainian history to Bournemouth.

Bournemouth University’s Department of Archaeology and Anthropology has teamed up with Dr Sergiy Taranenko and his team of archaeologists who are working to protect and record Kyiv’s cultural heritage amid the war.

The university has supported Sergiy’s work through a GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly £1500 to date.

Amongst the projects brought to life through the donations is an illustrated adventure book which Sergiy originally wrote for his son, Marko.

‘The Adventures of Marko in Princely Kyiv’ tells the adventures of 12-year-old Marko who finds a magic ring which transports him back to 12th century Kyiv.

More than 50 copies have been sent free of charge to Ukrainian refugee families in the Bournemouth and Winchester areas.

Dr Taranenko said: "I would like to thank my Bournemouth colleagues in the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology and everyone who has donated to support my work.

"This has helped me to edit and fund the publication of the book about time-travelling Marko and his adventures in the historic town of Kyiv about 800 years ago.

“I wrote it for my son, but also as a guide to help our children, who are the future of an independent Ukraine with its own unique history."