Thank you for Ukraine appeal support

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported the ‘Donations for Ukraine’ campaign I have recently been involved in.

Somehow, the words ‘thank you’ do not cover the amount of gratitude I feel for every single person’s help over the past couple of months; I was totally overwhelmed by the sheer amount of donations received.

The quality of garments provided showed the thoughtfulness in each and every donation, from hand-knitted blankets, hats and clothing, to the top-of-the-range warm clothing and footwear, as well as the essential items including food, hygiene and medical equipment.

I felt extremely humbled by those who came in to The Hub to donate, who chatted and showed no inhibitions in showing their emotions regarding the whole crisis situation.

I know everyone just wanted to feel they were doing something, no matter how little.

I would like to thank CMC Ship Chandlers, Jim Martin Supplies, The Kintyre Larder, Podunk, Nickel and Dime, The Treehouse, Fresh Connection, Scottish Ambulance Service, St John’s 141 Campbeltown, Campbeltown Hospital and Highland and Island’s Airport Limited as well as every individual and those who clubbed together to make donations.

To Glenbarr Stores, Tarbert Village Hall, Clachan Filling Station, Muneroy Stores, Carradale Fire Station, thank you so much for allowing donations to be dropped off at these locations, and also Mhairi MacDougall, Mark Gillies and Robert Strang, who ensured every donation got to where it had to go, whether it was here or to Amanda in Lochgilphead.

It was an emotional day when Kintyre Kollector took our first donations away to Glasgow for us – Ewan and Arthur, thank you.

Andrew Smith, you were only too pleased to help move every pallet and bag for us – thank you so much.

It wasn’t simple to export all the items from here and the surrounding areas to get everything to those who needed it most.

Without our volunteers of Nona, Lorraine, Heather, Shannon, Anna, Seamus, Caoimhe,

Leighann, Big Jamie, Wee Jamie, Linzi, Charles, Ellis, Evan, Moira and Stephen, we would not have been able to sort through the hundreds and hundreds of donations we received – thank you.

To the pupils of Castlehill and Dalintober Primary Schools and their teachers, thank you so much for making the hearts, drawings and messages of support to include in the pockets of donations being sent. I’m sure all the children receiving these would be touched.

Little Aimee Collett made loom bands and sold them for money to help purchase much-needed items, as well as making extra to include in the aid – what a kind thing to do for others. Thank you to all these children.

The hardest part was organising transport, not just from here, but actually getting the aid out of the country to Ukraine, Poland and Moldova. I played only a small part in helping all those who were the true cogs in the wheels.

Various groups were quickly set up to help with aid – Oban Helps Ukraine, Lochgilphead and Surrounding Area Helps Ukraine, UK Aid for Ukraine, AUGB Edinburgh and the existing Rise and Shine Glasgow.

Workers from all these groups worked tirelessly to get the aid where it needed to go, so special thanks go to them for their invaluable support and help.

Local haulage company AM Transport, I cannot express how thankful I am to you for getting every pallet and ton bag of aid away for us.

Special thanks to Ewan McIlroy for whom nothing was an issue, even when plans changed last minute, and also Leighann Burns, who was quick to organise things for us.

I am sure that every reader, along with me, will continue to keep all those involved in conflict, wherever they are in the world, in our thoughts and prayers.

We have stopped collections just now; thank you so much again to all our communities for your generosity, it has been overwhelming.

Mandy Robertson, The Hub.