Meath communities rally to send aid to Ukrainians

As communities rally to help the Ukrainian people, a Polish -Ukrainian woman who lives in Navan said she has been overwhelmed with the generous response she received in her plea for aid for Ukrainian people.

Justyna Boland has been in touch with a Polish politician from Cracow, Artur Buszek, who has given her a list of the items that are badly needed.

He will ensure the goods are transported and distributed in the areas where they are most needed.

"I have also been in touch with Paulina Florczyk from FloTrans International EU, which is a Polish courier company. Paulina has organized to transport the goods free of charge and has also mobilized another seven Polish courier companies to help. They will deliver items from Ireland to Cracow to be distributed to border cities and straight to Ukraine.

"The first transport leaves on Saturday from my house in Navan".

Justyna explains that although she grew up in Poland, her mother is Ukrainian and she spent two and a half months every summer with her relatives in Ukraine.

"My mothers family and my childhood friends are in Ukraine and we have been destroyed by what is happening. I decided to do something to help rather than sit around worrying."

"I am asking for help to collect as much as we can and send to Ukraine."

Justyna asks that items must be placed in a box and the boxes should not cannot be heavier than 20kg each, food must be separated from other items, clothing should be new or in great condition.

"I will not be accepting money donations. If you wish to donate money, please do so via the official charities," she says.

Among the goods needed are thermal first aid foil blankets, fabric strip plasters, bandages, painkillers, surgical masks and latex gloves, antihistamine medication, antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid, sleeping bags, warm clothes, jackets, bankets, socks, shoes, toothpaste and toothbrushes, nappies (kids and adults), menstrual pads, combs, paper towels, microfiber cloths, dry foods, energy bars, canned foods baby cereal mixes, baby milk, flash lights and batteries.

Justyna said the response has been overwhelming. I have had so many donations from Irish and Polish people and lot of others nationalities including people from India.

"The Commons Road Pharmacy has donated € 500 of medical supplies.

"Sandy's creche in Dunshaughin, the local primary school as well as Daoine Oige have organised collections for me.

"I want to thank everyone who donated," she said.

Renata Box, a Polish woman who lives in Trim is collecting supplies that will be delivered to Tuchow in Southern Poland, where refugees are arriving from Ukraine.

They also intend send aid into Ukraine itself for the people who are stuck there, or who have chosen to remain.

Renata stressed that she is not collecting money but if somebody wants to make a financial contribution they can do so, through the Caritas website.

"Caritas are doing a lot of work in Poland for Ukraine,"she said.

Renata has asked for any couriers who are willing to help transport goods from Navan or Trim to Dublin for onward transport to Poland and Ukraine to get in touch and is also looking for trucks willing to transport good to Poland.

"We have a lot of delivery companies helping us for free at the moment, but we may need more," she said.

Anyone wishing to donate goods or help with transport should contact Renate at 0863374906.

Anna Stojek in Laytown, is part of a wider group, formed in Cavan collecting supplies for the people of Ukraine.

"We will be sending the supplies to the Red Cross to get the supplies into Ukraine as they will be allowed to cross the border," she explains.

"What is needed most are first aid supplies and thinks like baby formula," she said.

Anna's home is a drop off point for goods and anyone wishing to donate can contact her on her Facebook Page, Anna Stojek.

The Kingscourt Traders and local Polish community in conjunction with Dorota Gwizdz and Jakub Jancewicz are organising a collection of items which will be shipped directly to Poland to help women and children crossing from Ukraine to Poland. These items will be picked up on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th March in Dun A Ri House Hotel/McMahon's Cafe Bar function room. They are in urgent need of the following items: nappies, baby wipes, sanitary and hygiene products, tinned and dried food, baby food, small towels and facecloths, sleeping bags, children's blankets, gloves and face masks. The function room at Dun A Ri House Hotel/McMahon's Cafe Bar will be available for drop off from 10am- 6pm each day until 5th March.

The Irish public donated €750,000 in just 24 hours to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal for humanitarian aid. The staggering amount came via a wave of donations to the Irish Red Cross website and on Revolut since the appeal was launched in response to the devastating conflict.

All funds received will go directly to Red Cross partners in Ukraine and neighbouring countries to assist them in their humanitarian efforts, repair

vital infrastructure, support health facilities, reconnect families separated by conflict and provide life-saving food and hygiene items as well as shelter given the cold and snow on the ground.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting www.redcross.ie or via Revolut.