Big-hearted residents of South Holland have joined forces to help refugees fleeing the invasion of Ukraine.
Those with family in the country are working with people who have no connections to get aid over to Eastern Europe as refugees stream across the borders.
Collection points have been set-up around South Holland and volunteers are collecting a range of items to send to Poland, where refugees are heading.
A Spalding woman whose late father was Ukrainian said she would even ‘drive things over there myself’ in a bid to help the country where she still has family.
Anna Davis, who owns Country Kitchen Cakes, said she was determined to help as she has a cousin and family members in Kyiv.
“My father was Ukrainian and we have family there. It’s just heartbreaking,” she said.
“My cousin, their daughter and grandson are on the outskirts of Kyiv and they have been under curfew. They can hear the noise of the planes going over and it has been awful,” she said.
Anna’s dad Alex Jalouczuk was in the Ukrainian Army during World War Two before he became a Displaced Person and sent to a camp in Italy. He eventually ended-up in Low Fulney at another camp.
Alex met and married Thelma, who is now 92 and the couple had two children, Anna and Christina.
“He was a very clever man, spoke seven languages and worked for the Welland and Nene River Board. At the end of the war there were a lot of Ukrainians who married local girls,” said Anna.
Baytree Garden Centre is a collection point for goods heading to refugees and the first load will go out on Friday from Boston. The centre will continue to collect, along with Holbeach FC, Spalding FC and Moulton Chapel FC and will work with the Ukrainian church in Peterborough which is taking goods across.
Spalding mum-of-three Ailsa Adams has also started a collection.
Ailsa said: “Myself and my boys George and Wilfred are co-ordinating items to take to the Ukrainian Church.
“Wilfred wanted to send his toy army helicopter to a child out there. We were desperate to help in some way so I did an internet search, found the church and got in touch to make sure what we are collecting is what’s really needed.
“The church is most in need of painkillers (ibuprofen, paracatemol etc), toiletries, warm clothes (thermals), baby nappies and protein snacks.”
Items can be left at 1 Holland Road, Spalding.
Ayscoughfee Hall School, where George and Wilfred are pupils, is also backing Ailsa’s appeal and are accepting items for the collection.
She has also compiled an Amazon wishlist and orders will go to Ailsa to add to the collection. Visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/243QMD3F9NVZ0?fbclid=IwAR1zGdmwGv9qD3kjq6v-xYajzJYSKBrw0uklyR9JOLPsdXwARbDxCaIosE8 to order.
