Hamilton Advertiser

Trucking firms help M&D’S get aid to those in need

- SHIRLEY BARTYNEK

Two lorries are en route to Ukraine from M&D’S Theme Park, packed with vital aid following a massive community effort.

The mercy mission was made possible thanks to the generosity of Lanarkshir­e haulage companies, DGG Transport, M8 Recovery and JCS Transport, who donated the vehicles, fuel and drivers who will be away for a week.

M8 Recovery also provided a generator that will be donated to a Ukrainian hospital without power.

Last Friday M&D’S transforme­d two marquees into a donation centre and within just three hours they were filled to capacity as the community rallied round to donate first aid items, toiletries, baby goods and clothing.

Marc Taylor of M&D’S said:“it’s been incredible and to be honest very emotional to see how everyone has pulled together to make this happen and so quickly.

“The logistics have been challengin­g, but where there’s a will there’s a way and the volunteers, who have been working tirelessly at all hours, have been superb.”

Volunteer Jill Mckenna was instrument­al in obtaining the vital paperwork needed to get the lorries through border customs.

Jill’s sister-in-law Natasha Kukharchuk arrived from Ukraine two weeks ago with her six-year-old daughter, Sophie, and is living in Bothwell.

Natasha’s mum remains in Kyiv and her brother is fighting with the Ukrainian army.

Natasha said:“the Scottish people have been fantastic and their generosity is helping me try and get through this.

“I am on the phone to Ukraine daily and have been able to speak to my brother, but it’s just heart breaking.

“I still can’t believe what is going on. It’s just so hard to comprehend.”

The lorries will journey to Holland, Germany and then on to Poland and Ukraine and are expected to arrive on Wednesday.

 ?? ?? Ready to go Lanarkshir­e haulage companies, DGG Transport, M8 Recovery and JCS Transport, helped out with M&D’S Ukraine appeal
Ready to go Lanarkshir­e haulage companies, DGG Transport, M8 Recovery and JCS Transport, helped out with M&D’S Ukraine appeal
 ?? ?? Safe Natasha Kukharchuk, who fled from Ukraine to Bothwell two weeks ago, with her daughter Sophie
Safe Natasha Kukharchuk, who fled from Ukraine to Bothwell two weeks ago, with her daughter Sophie

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