Tamesiders are rallying round in the wake of the Ukrainian crisis to collect donations to help those fleeing the war-gripped nation.

A national Ukrainian appeal has been set up but more locally businesses and individuals have been answering the call.

No strangers to helping out for numerous good causes across the borough and beyond are Lee Woods and Dave Howarth from Ashton’s community Waterloo News Facebook page and businesswoman Emma Jones.

Together they continue to help Pauline Town’s ‘We Shall Overcome’ movement in the town to help the homeless, while they have also helped numerous other good causes.

“We do food collections for Pauline, we were involved in the Tameside Christmas Toy Appeal and are helping with an Easter egg appeal,” they said.

“We’ve also helped with the Afghanistan / Winter Warmer appeal collecting hats and gloves so we are quite busy, but when Ukraine was invaded we all wanted to help.”

They soon put their expertise and contacts to help, being aware of the Ukraine Appeal and the collection of items in Manchester.

But to provide somewhere more local as a donation point Emma, who is director of Perry Jones Funeral Services on Oldham Road, Ashton, is collecting items at her business for the appeal.

They have teamed up with the Polish Integration Support Centre which will ultimately take all of the donated items from their North West bases direct to Poland’s border with Ukraine to help those most in need.

Some of the items that have been donated

Within 24 hours there had been an immediate response to their ‘Ukrainian Evacuee Appeal’ with first aid, clothes, nappies, toys and more all being donated. Among the items were six care packages from Ashton’s Tesco Express.

“We are asking for nappies, children’s toys and clothes, thermal clothes, toiletries, first aid kits, bedding, pillows, anything to help the evacuees,” said Emma.

Lee added that toys - and crayons and drawing pads - are also appreciated with children leaving Ukraine with literally nothing.

To help the appeal you can deliver items direct to Perry Jones Funeral Services, 300 Oldham Road, Ashton, or message the Waterloo News Facebook page. Members of the team are offering to collect items where they can.

You can find an essential list of items that can be donated on the team’s Facebook page too.

Emma said she has already been inundated with calls as the appeal takes off and Lee added that they would continue with the appeal for as long as is required.

Parishioners at a Stalybridge church have also been busy collecting donations for Ukrainian refugees.

St George’s Church held a collection last Sunday and have decided to extend the appeal.

THANK YOU: Collecting at St George's

The church, on Church Walk in the town, will be open for donations today (Thursday) between 1-3pm and tonight between 6.30-8.30pm. It will also be open on Sunday between 9.45am and 12.30pm.

Churchwarden Val Fallows said: “We are now in a position to collect your donations for those fleeing Ukraine. Donations of warm clothes, blankets, nappies and toiletries can be accepted. If you would like to donate cash instead the Red Cross are accepting donations online at: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal 

“I’m amazed by everyone’s generosity and willingness to help. Thank you.”

People can also contact St George’s Church to arrange a drop-off if they wish and the church is also accepting money which will be sent on their behalf. For all enquiries, contact the churchwardens Gillian Cotton and Val Fallows via email stgeorge.wardens@yahoo.com or 07553 258674.

Meanwhile, Mossley Community Shop is donating 10 per cent of their profits this week to the Red Cross Ukrainian appeal.

The shop is based on Stockport Road in Mossley and everyone is welcome to pop in.

The Ashton UKR Centre, located at 217 Stockport Road, Ashton, will also  be open tonight (Thursday) at 7pm to receive physical donations. Items such as blankets, toiletries, food and hygiene packs are all welcome.

Organisers say they would like to say a huge thank you to everyone locally who has offered donations and support, including to members of the Polish community who attached a large sign to the gates of the Ukrainian centre and left flowers on the steps.

Standing with Ukraine

More than 1,000 people gathered at Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens last Saturday to ‘Stand with Ukraine’ in its greatest hour of need.

Residents and members of the Manchester Ukrainian community of all ages were joined by other Ukrainian plus Polish communities and others from across the North West and Yorkshire.

Singing patriotic songs, hymns and playing traditional music, numerous speakers called for an immediate end to Russia’s invasion. 

It was an emotionally charged event with tears but also anger at the tragic events and enormous humanitarian crisis now unfolding. 

More locally the Ashton Ukrainian Association continues to promote the ‘Help Ukraine Emergency Appeal’ which has seen donations of more than £1.3m to date. 

You can support it at https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpukraine 

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