The conflict in Ukraine has seen communities across the High Peak eager to do what they can to support the hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes. 

A variety of organisations and individuals have been collecting aid to send to Poland to help families arriving in the country from Ukraine. 

In Glossopdale, a huge amount of donations has been collected so far and items will be accepted until Thursday evening (3 March). 

Amanda Derrick, who was organising the collection, said they were grateful for all the help given. 

Writing on Facebook, she said her family were aiming to deliver the items to the border with Ukraine sometime next week. 

Mika Wawrzyniak (pictured below), who is originally from Poland but now lives in the High Peak, set up an appeal locally last weekend. 

“I had seen on Facebook some Polish transport guys offering to take donations back so I thought I might start a little collection," she said. 

The amazing response from kind-hearted people across the area has seen a large array of items donated such as nappies, clothes, and toiletries.    

“I started on Saturday just on Facebook it has been non-stop.” 

The items are due to be collected on Wednesday (2 March) to be driven directly to Poland. 

Mika explained that a team of volunteers were waiting to then distribute it to families at central hubs before they are then moved to various towns and cities across the country. 

Helping support her effort has been Kirsty Lownds, who runs Buxton Baby Bank, and her group of volunteers who have been busy this week collecting and sorting donations. 

“It has just got to be done,” she explained. “I was on Facebook on Saturday night seeing how people were collecting for it and organising to get aid over there. 

“Having kids myself I just thought all the people and children could be left to fend for themselves and I had got to do something to help even it is just a little bit.” 

Elsewhere in the High Peak, other groups have been collecting aid.

New Mills Youth and Community Project CIC have been acting as a drop off point for first-use items for Ukrainian families with donated items collected at the Community Pantry.  

The appeal was for items such as foil survival blankets, nappies, sanitary towels, towels, first aids kits, sleeping bags, thermal clothing, and children’s clothes. 

Little Cherubs Community in Chapel is another organisation that has been collecting items for families fleeing the country. They collected toiletries, nappies, new underwear, and clothing. 

A number of charities have also launched appeals to help people caught up in the conflict, including the British Red Cross. To find out more or to donate, go to https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal

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