TWO Dorset residents have driven to Poland to deliver essential humanitarian aid for the people of Ukraine.
Tom Price and Mark Bamford, who both work for Vitality in Bournemouth, drove to Poland with a van full of Ukraine donations for refugees.
Tom, from Poole, proposed the trip to Mark after seeing the efforts of numerous Dorset residents in past months.
“We wanted to do something. You can feel a bit helpless when you’re watching the news. Especially as its not far away, it feels close to home.
“I’ve seen reports of great work going on around here.
“I’ve got an HGV licence and it made me wonder if I could help taking some things over myself.”
The pair got in touch with the Facebook group New Forest to Ukraine, who had been helping to collect a generous amount of donations for Ukrainians and agreed to transport a van full of donated goods.
Tom said: “We loaded up the van with dozens of boxes. It was mainly towels and bedding, pet supplies and children’s clothing.
Read more: Ringwood man delivers donated medical goods to Ukraine
“We took suitcases as well. People were desperately in need of those for their onward journeys.
“We were the 16th van to go from that group.”
Tom and Mark drove to refugee centres in Western Poland where donations were distributed to Ukrainian refugees.
“One of the centres was the big local sports arena. There were 580 people there.
“Another one was in the town centre; I’m guessing it was a shop of some description. They’re handing out clothes and bedding there. There was a massive queue there.”
Read more: Facebook group launched for Dorset families housing refugees
Many of the remaining donations were then taken across the border and directly into Ukraine. “We had a load of pet food and supplies that went to Ukraine. A lot of people had to leave their cats and dogs behind, so we had a substantial amount of pet supplies for them.
Now back in the UK, the pair are keen to continue with their efforts for Ukraine. They have launched a Just Giving Page to fund a second trip to Poland.
To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tomprice2022?utm_term=Z2qwnMGG4
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