Cumbria Aid Ukraine founder Paul Thomas has praised the colossal team effort and generosity from across the county that has meant a record number of shoeboxes packed with gifts for Ukrainian children will be arriving in time for Christmas.
Volunteers loaded aid worker Steve Hodgson’s wagon with humanitarian supplies, as well as 863 shoeboxes full of presents donated following the organisation’s Christmas appeal — double the number which were gifted last year.
“It has been a massive team effort,” said Paul. “Thank you to everyone who has donated something to support the appeal with items from our list. A lot of children’s clothing, toys, food, household cleaning products, all the things we asked for were donated.”
As well as shoebox gifts, a Fiat WAV (Wheelchair Adapted Vehicle) bought by Cumbria Aid Ukraine from Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, is also being delivered to Odessa in Ukraine to support disabled people, including those who have lost limbs during the conflict.
Also four bunk beds have been provided by Appleby Rotary Club, which will be used to help displaced families, including orphaned children.
New mattresses were also supplied by Graham Whiteley, owner of Cumbria Oak. Another part of the shipment that will be welcomed is 1,500kg of wax from Cornish company St Eval Candles, which will be recycled to make ‘trench candles’, candles in tins, often created by children and made for soldiers on the front line or for civilians facing power cuts.
“It is all about knowing what people need and doing your best to try and get it to them. There is no point in just sending things that are not needed, because space on the wagon is at a premium,” explained Paul.
Paul says they are always looking for funding to support Ukrainian-based Steve’s humanitarian aid trips, and this year has been particularly generous on that front.
It costs about £4,500 to fund one of Steve’s return trips from Ukraine, and this year’s shoebox appeal asked people to donate £1 per box to help cover this, which has generated over £1,000 towards the costs, due to a number of people donating more than £1.
Penrith Lions also donated £500 to go to Steve’s travel costs from Odessa. The Parish of Penrith (St Andrew’s and Christ Church) also donated funds.
Other major donations included 20 generators, new and old, all donated by customers of The Pot Place Garden Centre.
Paul also expressed thanks to the team at Chambers Garage, Tirril, who loaded the adaptive vehicle on to the wagon with their recovery truck. “All these things that local companies are helping with, they make life so much easier for us,” said Paul.
The success of the Christmas appeal has also been helped by the Plumpton-based organisation’s rebranding into Cumbria Aid Ukraine, which has helped it reach a wider number of supporters.
“It has really helped to get the word around,” said Paul. “Unfortunately, we are having to carry on with what we do. We would all like a solution to the war but it does not look like that is happening just yet. So we will carry on doing what we do, and I am sure even when there is an end to the conflict we will still be doing this.”
Paul says the situation is desperate in Odessa at the moment with a lack of power and water supply affecting the region due to the continual bombardment from Russian forces.
“Life is difficult. The power is on and off and the Russians are hitting all the big cities pretty much all at once for the last two months, and there is nowhere in the country now that is immune to the problems they have.
“Hundreds and hundreds of drones and missiles are raining down every day, day and night.”
Paul said the Christmas delivery was expected to arrive in Odessa today, Sunday December 21, when an event was planned to share the shoebox gifts with youngsters, as well as distribute the vehicles and other aid that is so vitally needed.
