Truck filled with donations leaves Fermoy for Polish-Ukrainian border
A truck filled with donations left Fermoy on Friday last destined for the Polish border to assist those fleeing Ukraine.
The number of Ukrainians fleeing the war to neighbouring countries has reached 1.5 million in ten days, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said on Sunday.
As news of the Russian invasion of Ukraine made international headlines last week, on a local level, appeals got underway, with Fermoy’s Noreen Cody and Edyta Kowalczyk seeking donations to help those injured and fleeing.
Having collected donations all week, a haulage company, Hendrick European sent a truck to Circle K in Fermoy where it was loaded up with boxes of donations.
Speaking with The Avondhu on Friday, Noreen noted the high volume of donations coming in from local people.
“In my house, we’ve 60 boxes and more coming. My friend in Mitchelstown (Heather O’Connell) has a shed full of donations, and another friend in Rathealy Heights (Carla Silva) has a load of donations too,” Noreen said.
Last week, Noreen had noted the scale of the response to the appeal, at the time claiming her kitchen was ‘ half full’ of donations.
“Lots of local people and businesses have gotten on board. The response has been huge really. Everybody is saddened by what’s been happening and the fact that people can donate and give, it’s their way of contributing,” she added.
Local company, Fermoy Transport Services (FTS) Logistics also got on board, helping to transport donations from Mitchelstown and Fermoy to the pickup point on Friday.
“There were lots of people there to help load up the truck, a lot of local people volunteering. It didn’t take long at all, maybe half an hour. There were so many people there, it was great,” Noreen added.
Thanks were extended to everyone who participated, volunteered, facilitated and donated to the appeal.
A ‘GREAT DAY’ FOR FERMOY
Coláiste an Chraoibhín teachers Denise Flood and Maeve O’Callaghan were among those who sprang into action after being shocked by the unfolding war and the plight of the Ukrainian people, to organise a collection to support the growing needs of those fleeing from the conflict.
A collection point was set up at the school on Tuesday of last week for essential supplies and people gave generously to the cause.
“Students worked tirelessly to ensure that the operation went smoothly. They had a short window to collect, sort, box and load the truck which is destined for the Polish Ukrainian border,” a Coláiste an Chraoibhín spokesperson said at the time.
Sixteen students from the school pitched in on Friday helping to load the truck before its departure.
Thanks were extended to parents and local businesses who ensured that the project was possible.
Silver Pail provided boxes, XL on Emmet Street provided food for all the Transition Years that helped out and they also gave generously to the plight.
“There is no doubt but that ‘ many hands make light work’ and ‘every little helps’. We at Colaiste an Chraoibhin are delighted with the response and would like to thank everyone for their help and generous contributions,” the spokesperson added.
FTS Logistics, who transported donations to Circle K, described Friday as a ‘great day’ for the town in Fermoy as they pulled together to do what they could to help the people of Ukraine.
“What a great day today for the town of Fermoy and surrounding areas, everyone rallied together and were not far off filling a 40ft artic trailer that is now on the way to Ukraine.
“Big thanks to Noreen Cody for organising all of this. Thanks too to Patrick Coleman from Hendricks European Transport for coordinating times etc., with me, Nina Byrne at Circle K for providing the space at Circle K Fermoy and supplying tea and coffee for everyone. Well done to everyone who helped out,” a spokesperson said.