UCC loads up donations to help Ukranian refugees

Students, staff, parents and carers, local businesses and members of the community have all pitched into the donation drive, of which will be delivered to a Polish shop in Carlisle, Polski Sklep Dino. 

The donations will be driven to Poland this Sunday to be distributed to those in need during the current crisis. 

A spokesperson for UCC said: "There has been an absolutely phenomenal response to the UCC call out for donations to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland." 

VAST: Collection of well-needed supplies being delivered.

The collection began after UCC parent Gabi Davies started collecting items from family and friends in her home kitchen in Penrith. 

"When staff at UCC heard about this they were keen to support and opened space at school to receive donated items from the community. 

"We have been overwhelmed by the incredible kindness and generosity of our community," they said. 

The college has been running as a collection point for the last three days, accumulating a vast array of bags and boxes for their trip into Europe. 

"Donations of medical supplies, toiletries, sanitary products, nappies, baby formula, dried food, vitamins, sleeping bags, blankets, mats, pillows, clothes have poured in.

"Students and staff stayed after school to sort the donations and load them into the school van. 

"The first delivery was driven up to Carlisle on Wednesday night to be transported to the refugees on the Poland border by staff at the Polski Sklep Dino shop in Carlisle," they said. 

COMMUNITY: All lending a helping hand

Krystian Klicki, owner of Polish Shop Dino, said: "We are happy to say we are sending so much over to Poland for those in need, we are sending out a massive care package on Monday evening."

More donations have been arriving at UCC today and will join collections from Cumbria to be transported across Europe.