Hundreds of Islanders have been doing their bit to collect much needed supplies for around 1million refugees who have fled the fighting in Ukraine.
Island Echo went to East Cowes yesterday (Thursday) to speak to the Islanders coordinating the relief effort.
Victoria Dunford BEM (who originates from Moldova, which borders Ukraine) has run the charity MAD (Medical Aid Delivered) for 10 years. A former NHS worker, she noticed that huge amounts of medical equipment that had past its expiry date was simply going to waste and organised for it to be transported to Moldova, Belarus and Ukraine, where it was desperately needed.
With years of experience supplying medical aid from the Isle of Wight to Eastern Europe, Victoria is the ideal person to coordinate Islanders’ relief efforts.
Victoria said:
“The drop off points are filling up fast. But what we desperately require is vans. We have too many goods that need transporting. Fortunately, Red Funnel and Wightlink have allowed us to make 6 crossings for free, with the possibility of further free crossings if necessary.
“Medical equipment, torches and first aid kits are what we need most. But we also need other things such as women’s underwear and slippers because many of those fleeing Ukraine had no time to pack.”
Sarah Stoker is the founder of the Facebook page Isle of Wight Community Help for Ukraine. Sarah said:
“I set up the Facebook group on Saturday (26th Feb) expecting to get just a few donations. I had been watching the news and thought I ought to do something. By Sunday morning, we had already had 700 members.
“Everything has snowballed. Today (3rd March) we have almost 4,000 members and 28 drop off points for Islanders to leave supplies. The support has been amazing.”
East Cowes Councillor Karl Love has said:
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to the people of East Cowes and the Isle of Wight and to Victoria from MAD for organizing everything. It’s been amazing to see the number of volunteers who have turned out from the town. We’ve had every kind of product from far and wide: from Ventnor, Bembridge, Yarmouth …
“I hope this makes a difference to the people on the ground.”
Below is a list of places on the Isle of Wight where people can drop off food, clothing and medical supplies for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees:
Bembridge
• Right at Home (218318) — 7 High Street. Available for donations 08:30-16:00.
Binstead
• Binstead Stepping Stones Preschool (562341) at the top of Hazlemere Avenue, is open for donations Monday-Friday, 09:00-15:00.
Cowes
• Church of St John the Baptist, Northwood — items can be dropped off between 10:30 and 16:00.
East Cowes
• MAD Aid (200648), based at 11 York Avenue, is accepting donations between 09:00-17:00 until Friday 4th March.
• You can also drop items to Queengate Foundation Primary School (292872).
Gunville
• A residential address at 146 Gunville Road has a bin outside with Ukrainian flags which can have items dropped into it.
Gurnard
• All Saints Church (294913) — items can be dropped off between 10.30am and 4pm.
Newport
• JJ’s Take-Out in Whitepit Lane (717557) — Either donate via area under takeaway or via a driver if having food delivered.
• True Vine Church, based at 26a High Street, is asking for cardboard boxes and tape and is open 11:00-16:00 Monday to Saturday.
• Orchard House Care Home (520022) — 189 Fairlee Road is now a drop-off point.
Ryde
• Items can be dropped to Urban Saints on Oakhill Road (811118).
• Ryde Elim Church (615965) on Albert Street: Thursdays 09:30-14:30 or Fridays 09:30-12:00.
• Ryde Veterans Hub — 162 High Street.
• Ryde Academy (567331) — Pell Lane.
Ventnor
• The Green Room (857848): Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road — 09:00-16:00, Monday to Friday.
• Fabulash (716850) — 21 Pier Street
Yarmouth
• Yarmouth Sailing Club (760270) is accepting donations between 2-4pm from Wednesday March 2 to Friday March 4.
