DONATE TO UKRAINE REFUGEES
Many local collections are feeding into larger groups which plan to have the first shipment of donations on the way across Europe by the end of this week.
With Ukrainian refugees heading for Poland, Northern Ireland’s 30,000-strong Polish population is leading the collection of essential goods and equipment.
Kinga Orkisz is part of a group of Polish people organising a collection in a warehouse on Belfast’s Boucher Road.
She said she has been already been overwhelmed with the response and is now planning to send at least one lorry to Poland every week, so long as supplies are needed.
The group is running two more collection centres in Belfast and one in Mallusk. 10 Hightown Rd Unit 3A
of clothes but we need more medication, cleaning supplies and food, and nappies for babies.”
In the west of Northern Ireland, Basia Polish Shop was another to quickly get an appeal up and running.
The shop, which has stores in Enniskillen and Strabane, has provided a list of suitable donations across social media channels.
“All the items will be transported to Cavan from where they will be taken to the refugee centre in Rzeszow, Poland,” the shop said.
Wellfit Gym, UNIT 18 EDGAR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE COMBER RD CARRYDUFF, will be taking collections 0930am – 1030am every day and every night from 6pm to 8pm
West Belfast charity Foodstock is planning to send supplies to Ukraine on Friday. The drop-off point from Monday to Thursday, 9am-5pm, is at West Belfast Community Response, 150 Andersonstown Road.
Several city centre businesses will be feeding into that collection, among them Horatio Todd’s pub and restaurant in east Belfast.
We are going to transport it to Foodstock.”
Monika Rawson, who owns the Smokey Deli in east Belfast, is another who has decided to open up her business as a donation point.
Londonderry is also doing its bit with drop-off points at Oakgrove Integrated Primary School and Nursery, Galaxy Allstars, Pennyburn (4pm-9pm) and Galaxy Allstars Studios Spencer Road (6.30-9pm), with collections until Thursday.
EO’C estate agents at Carlisle Road in the city centre is also taking in donations until to 5pm on Thursday. Glendermott and New Buildings Church of
CFC Interiors in Campsie and Cookstown is among many businesses supporting the emergency.
The company said: “We will be leaving collection boxes at the front door of our Cookstown and Campsie stores this week (by Wednesday). Collected items will be transferred to Poland as soon as possible.”
In Larne, Thompsons Lighting is asking for donations. Larne Well-Being Hub will be open for donations on Tuesday from 4.30pm-5.30pm and Thursday from 4.30pm-5.30pm, while Spar Viking Lodge will be taking donations until Thursday, March 3, from 6am-midnight. Larne High School ACE Centre is also operating a drop-off collection.
East Antrim MLA John Stewart will be holding a collection point at his office on 95 Main Street until Thursday, March 3 (9:30am-5pm), and at Carrickfergus Cricket Club on Wednesday, March 2, from 6:30-8pm.
In Carrickfergus, there will be collection points at The Courtyard, Scotch Quarter this week from March 1-3, 10am-4pm. Items can also be dropped off at Carrickfergus Child Contact Centre, 13 West Street until Thursday, March 3, 10am-4pm and at The Secret Bookshelf, The Courtyard until Thursday (9am-5pm).
In Newtownabbey, Carnmoney Church is one of the local locations assisting in aid efforts for a large container being sent from Northern Ireland to Romania.
Belvoir and Milltown Community Hub in South Belfast is among many community organisations involved, collecting from Monday to Thursday 9am-9pm at Drumart Square.
In Ballymena, collections are planned at Rockfield Medical Centre and Ballymena North Business and Recreation Centre.
On the north coast, Coleraine Community Rescue Shop, Portstewart Clothing Company and Arcadia Cafe Portrush are all assisting, with collection times of Monday, Tuesday 12.30-2pm, Wednesday 10-4pm and Thursday 9-5pm.
All Country Estates offices (Antrim, Ballyclare, Ballymena and Glengormley) will be serving as emergency collection points during this week, while sporting clubs, including Magherafelt Reds FC in Mid-Ulster, have joined the effort.
Anyone seeking their local collection point should check social media where details are updated daily.
Credit Belfast Telegraph.
