Lorry-loads continue to leave Kintyre for Ukrainian refugees

Lorry-loads of emergency supplies for Ukrainian refugees are continuing to leave Kintyre, thanks to the generosity of the community.

Mandy Robertson of youth support charity The Hub, who is coordinating the Campbeltown aid effort, said people are still donating items for those who have fled the war-torn country amid Russia’s military invasion, despite being affected by the UK’s own cost of living crisis.

When the first appeal went out, Mandy was so inundated with donations that she had to ask people to wait until she and a group of volunteers could sort and box everything in accordance with customs regulations before giving any more.

Mandy is now able to take donations of items which are in short supply in areas where refugees have fled to, including Poland and Moldova.

Several van- and lorry-loads have already left Kintyre as the Campbeltown team works alongside volunteers in Lochgilphead and Oban to transport the goods overseas.

This week, Mandy appealed for help in transporting items to partner volunteers in Aberdeen, so they can be shipped to Moldova. Currently, there are 120 boxes ready to leave Campbeltown.

As well as coordinating these shipments, Mandy and her team are continuing to sort through donations, which they are now able to sort as they get them, rather than stockpiling them as they had to do in the beginning.

Items still required for sending overseas include: new clothes/underwear, baby items, medical supplies, torches and dried food. These can be handed in at The Hub on Kinloch Road or to Aquilibrium.

Unfortunately, old clothes can no longer be accepted.

Among the volunteers helping to sort donations at The Hub is nine-year-old Caoimhe Cook; inset: Children from Dalintober and Castlehill primary schools have made hearts reading, ‘Love from Campbeltown, Scotland,’ to put in the pockets of clothes for refugees.

A lorry-load of items donated in Kintyre and Mid Argyll leaving to help Ukrainian refugees.