A pensioner from Owslebury, Hampshire, has launched a petition calling on the Russian Orthodox Church to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Niki Dale, 76, says she hopes the Russian Orthodox Church will understand that denouncing the situation in Ukraine is a "matter of emergency."

"A lot of people feel strongly that the Russian Church seems to be supporting Putin's war. I feel very strongly that the Christian community will make the petition viral and that will add some pressure," Mrs Dale told the Hampshire Chronicle. 

Together with her husband Richard, 78, the couple started the petition after feeling "sick and helpless" as they watched the war in Ukraine unfold. 

"Our main aim is to try and get the Russian Orthodox Church to understand the horror that is within the rest of the world.

"We're absolutely passionate about this. The whole thing is so upsetting and the Christian voice needs to be heard. We don't see enough from our own church, which is a great pity," she continued.  

The petition, which they started last week, has been signed by 229 people so far. The couple has partnered with the British Ukrainian Society to arrange for a Ukrainian refugee child to deliver the petition to the Russian Orthodox Church in London.  

They need 500 signatures to do so. 

As well as the petition, Mrs Dale and her husband have opened up their house to welcome Ukrainian refugees. 

You can sign the petition here.