A MONUMENTAL community effort to help Ukrainian refugees has seen the first of four lorry loads of vital supplies preparing to set off for Poland.
Kathryn Rooney, a Durham County Councillor for Consett North who teamed up with Jo Soulsby of Shotley Bridge, said she had hoped to fill a small van with supplies, but was overwhelmed by the response.
Read more: County Durham lorries with donations for Ukraine stuck due to post-Brexit rules
Together with head Consett Junior School headteacher Paul Dixon they galvanised the community into donating a range of much needed supplies, including nappies, wet wipes, toiletries, duvets, clothes and much more.
Firefighters from Consett Station today (March 9) helped volunteers pack a truck with supplies, stored at St Mary's Church Hall, Blackhill.
Volunteers have spoken of their frustration at post-Brexit customs rules which are delaying their first truck.
It is to Elk, in Poland, which is the hometown of Mrs Soulsby, who owns Moon Jewellery and interior decor in Durham.
Mrs Soulsby said: “My family and friends in Poland are doing what they can to help the Ukrainian refugees.
“In fact my mother is awaiting three mums with four children to take into her own home. I was also shocked to hear of how many orphans were going to Elk.
“Women are handing over their children and going back to fight. It is heartbreaking. One family is looking after 12 children in a small house.”
She added: “I made an appeal last Monday and donated some stuff from the shop and auctioned it to send some money to Poland, so my family could shop for products and deliver it to people who needed it.
“The appeal snowballed from there. I was contacted by Paul Dixon of Consett Junior School who said he would motivate all the parents in the town. And I was put in touch with Cllr Rooney, who has arranged all the logistics.
"The response has been incredible. We are so grateful."
Cllr Rooney said put out an appeal on Facebook.
She said: "I was watching the news and, like everyone else, I was horrified and just felt I had to do something.
"Everyone has been touched by what is happening in Ukraine. I thought if we could get a few things together and maybe get a small van to get some things over.
“And here we are. It has absolutely snowballed beyond my wildest dreams. I was contacted by Jo and we teamed up.
"Our first truck is going to Jo’s hometown, where they have taken a lot of orphans and we are now looking to fund our fourth truck.
"We have a team of 60 volunteers to sort through everything and pack boxes. I would like to thank Elddis Transport of Consett who helped with packing and storage."
Mr Dixon said: "I was contacted by Jo who asked if there was something the schools could do to help.
"We have a really strong cluster of schools in the area who are all very close. Our parents always help at the drop of a hat. The children are aware of what is happening and just wanted to help along with children from other local schools."
The next lorry road will be transported Polish haulier on Monday, with supplies taken to camps and Ukranian border where to will be handed to the Red Cross.
There are plans to send a third lorry to Moldova, with the destination of the fourth to be decided.
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