A HOST of Colchester organisations have joined forces as part of an ambitious project designed to help those suffering as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Colchester to Ukraine: Humanitarian & Emergency Aid Campaign is being officially launched this evening at an event taking place at Colchester Town Hall.
The initiative is being spearheaded by councillor Martin Leatherdale, mayor Robert Davidson, and the Dulai family, owners of Surya Food Group and The George Hotel.
It is also being supported by Colchester Community Facebook Group, the Anti Loo Roll Brigade, Community 360, and Colchester Foodbank.
The scheme is also being bolstered by the Colchester Rotary Club, Colchester Council and Colchester Business Improvement District – Our Colchester.
The aim is to deliver much-needed humanitarian support directly from the community of Colchester to refugees in need in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
The local, not-for-profit campaign is being managed through the World Food Aid charity, Lion Walk Shopping Centre, and the Surya Foods Group.
The latter is contributing everything from lorries to the production of food to the scheme while Lion Walk has opened a drop-off site.
Located next to Primark, the hub is in operation between 11am and 3pm in Culver Street, with any donations being urgently shipped to those in need.
Unused items such as blankets, pillows, sleeping bags, bed linen, tents, first aid kits, bandages, painkillers, torches, toothbrushes and long-life food will be accepted.
Mr Leatherdale, Lion Walk manager, said: “It’s humbling to support a community project of emergency humanitarian aid directly from our hometown – I am proud.
“We aim to procure, produce, and deliver urgent aid to those In Ukraine and neighbouring countries as a matter of absolute urgency.
“This is a 100 per cent Colchester based community project funded through the World Food Aid charity and we will deliver every penny for penny, door to door.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has caused the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War with more than 4.3million people fleeing their homeland.
Mr Davidson, mayor of Colchester, said: “I have been so impressed and humbled by the amazing and diverse services our voluntary sector provides.
“We should be proud to be part of such a caring community.
“Everyone I have met since the Ukrainian invasion is appalled by Russia’s indiscriminate attacks on the civilian population.
“They also have this sense of helplessness seeing their despair and suffering when losing family members, possessions, and homes.
“Together we ought to help provide support and essential goods for the refugees and those remaining in Ukraine.
“Please help those struggling Ukrainians by donating to this worthwhile local charity.”
Mr Suki Dulai, speaking on behalf of the Dulai family, added: “An important element of our family’s ethos is to assist those less fortunate than ourselves, and to this end we are proud and honoured to enable our resources to support this humanitarian aid initiative.”
To donate to the campaign visit gofundme.com/colchester-to-ukraine.
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