First lorry sets off with borough-wide donations

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First lorry sets off with borough-wide donations
First lorry sets off for Poland following borough-wide response, Lord Mayor Alderman Glenn Barr is pictured with Nick McCullough and Anne Murray (Manfreight), Trevor & Gary Turkington (Turkington Windows & Conservatories) and Ukrainian representative Lalia Wilson.

Essential supplies pouring in to help Ukrainians forced to leave their homes.

The first lorry has set off for the Ukrainian border packed with essential supplies.

Last week the council activated a central-hub to assist community groups, businesses and individuals to with the collection, logistics and transportation of supplies to those directly in need.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Alderman Glenn Barr said,

“The response has simply been amazing, with donations pouring in. We’ve had queues of people waiting to hand over boxes and bags of everything from nappies and toiletries to blankets. Volunteers are spending hours sorting through and boxing-up thousands of items for transportation.

“It has been fantastic to see first-hand community, business, voluntary organisations and statutory agencies all working together as a borough-wide approach and it is an amazing example of everyone finding a way to make a difference.”

First lorry sets off with borough-wide donations
Volunteers, Ukrainian representatives and local businesses along with Lord Mayor Alderman Glenn Barr see the first lorry set off for Poland from the central-hub.

The central-hub is located at Turkington Windows & Conservatories, James Park, Mahon Road, Portadown BT62 3EH.

Opening days and times are as follows:

• Saturday 12th March, 10am-12pm
• Monday 14th March, 10am-12pm
• Wednesday 16th March, 10am-12pm
• Saturday 19th March, 10am-12pm

Trevor Turkington from Turkington Windows & Conservatories said,

“We reached out to provide one of our warehouses to facilitate a drop-off point. We have been overwhelmed with the response and are delighted to work with multiple organisations to help those in need.”

Chris Slowey from Manfreight said,

“When we seen what was happening in Ukraine, we wanted to help where best we could by providing the transportation of humanitarian goods. Working with the council to identify what was the most important goods to be moved, our team and key suppliers ordered support to help us get the first truck on its safe passage through Holland and Germany before arriving in Poland this week. We are going to send a further 3 trucks in the coming weeks to keep supporting the people of Ukraine.”

First lorry sets off with borough-wide donations
First lorry sets off for Poland following borough-wide response, Lord Mayor Alderman Glenn Barr with Nick McCullough (Manfreight), Trevor & Gary Turkington (Turkington Windows & Conservatories) and Ukrainian representatives.

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council launched humanitarian support to assist the people of Ukraine who are facing unimaginable suffering. Following a statutory council meeting held on Monday 28th February councillors took a unanimous decision to respond to the escalating crisis and provide life-saving support for the Ukrainian people.

Thanks to other business organisations who have provided much-needed packaging materials including JMC Packaging, CASPAC Armagh and Smurfit Kappa.

Essential items required

Nappies (all sizes)
Baby formula
Non-perishable baby food
Baby wipes
Baby blankets
Baby carriers
Baby bath
Dummies
Baby vests, pyjamas & baby-gros (new)

Tinned and Dry Food
Thermal socks
Thermal underwear
Pyjamas (0-13 year olds)
Thermal blankets
Bed clothes (quilts, blankets and pillows)
Sleeping bags
Towels

Sanitary products
Soap / Shower Gel
Shampoo
Painkillers
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hairbrush
Hair bobbles

Disposable tableware
Torches
Powerbanks
Batteries
Ear plugs
Plasters
Pet food
Yoga mats