PEOPLE across Teesdale have been donating items for Ukrainian refugees, with van loads of supplies already arriving in Poland.
They are collecting items including toiletries, batteries, torches, baby food, milk and nappies, dried food products, hats and gloves, colouring books, teddys and pencils,
pet food, over-the-counter medicines, and mobile phone chargers. Anna Grzymska, of Anna’s Boutique, in Barnard Castle, is among those appealing for the items.
Originally from Poland, Ms Grzymska has lived in Britain for ten years. She said: “There are 1.5 million refugees. Everybody should help. My friends and family are helping back in Poland and are taking in Ukrainians.
“I'm so proud of people who are doing something – it makes me happy. Ukrainian children are now starting at the school I went to as a little girl in Poland.”
The first van, driven by a driver from Bishop Auckland, left last week and another one is due to leave on around March 22. Items from Barnard Castle have arrived in Poland where they are being distrubuted to church groups.
People can also donate cash at the shop which Ms Grzymska says is being given to families fleeing the war. She said children at Green Lane Primary School are also making mother's day cards for refugees.
Utass (Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Services) has also been co-ordinating efforts, offering a collection point and urging people to donate. Middleton-in-Teesdale Primary School is appealing for donations and empty packing boxes which will be taken to McNabs book shop, in Barnard Castle, which is making weekly deliveries.
Resident Katy Simmonds, of Mickleton, is collecting donations and delivering to a Ukrainian aid depot in Bishop Auckland.
Drop-off points: Anna’s Boutique, in Barnard Castle, during opening hours; Utass, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9am to 4pm; Middleton-in-Teesdale, Primary School, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm; My Lockup, Maude Terrace, in West Auckland, DL14 9AD, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Meanwhile, Barnard Castle Town Council last week agreed a statement of support when it held an extraordinary meeting to discuss its response to the crisis last Wednesday. It reads: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Ukraine, and also their family and friends.
“We condemn this unprovoked invasion and call upon President Putin to call off this assault. We look to our government to act decisively on the international stage, while at a local level we shall do what we can to support the Ukrainian people.
“We call on our government to treat refugees fleeing the conflict in the same manner as other European countries, and will support Durham County Council in welcoming those refugees to our area.
“Although there is little a town council can do about international events, we know our community will do all they can to support those in peril and displaced by the conflict.”
Working with the Red Cross, the council will have 20 sealed collection tins which it will distribute over the Holi weekend. The town council’s offices at Woodleigh are also available as a collection point should any group, or resident wish, to use it.
