Ashton's Ukraine centre has opened its doors for the first time following Russia's invasion to accept physical donations to help those fleeing the country.
There were emotional scenes as those who had opened the Stockport Road centre expecting ‘a few bags’ were literally overwhelmed by the number and volume of donations.
A steady stream of residents delivering everything from clothes, toiletries, first aid kits and more was maintained for several hours.
One resident literally delivered three van loads of goods alone.
The room set aside for items was soon overflowing with more space around the centre quickly having to be found.
Petro Rewko, National Chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, who was helping to organise the collections, said: “The vast amount of things we have received tonight is totally overwhelming and it becomes emotional because the sincerity and the giving of the British people is unbelievable.”
The centre was open again on Sunday and Monday and will open again tonight (Thursday) with a lorry organised to collect the donations.
These will immediately be flown out to Poland and Ukraine itself.
Petro explained the Association has been working directly with agencies on the ground in Ukraine distributing clothing, medicines and food in the war- torn nation to those who need it most.
“These agencies are on the ground in Ukraine putting their lives at risk to get this aid to the Ukrainian people.”
Petro added that a GoFundMe appeal for Ukraine was set up before the invasion and quickly raised £50,000, but once the war began this mushroomed to more than £1.5m in the space of a week and now stands at more than £5m.
“We have been inundated with offers of help. Not just of physical donations or funds, but offering to provide homes for people if refugees come over, offering to transport items across as well.
“We are just volunteers and not experts at this and the biggest thing we have to say is the absolute ultimate gratitude to the British public for their support in standing with Ukraine during this very, very difficult and dark period.”
Stefan Wolowiansky, who is the chairman of the Ashton branch of the association and was co-ordinating events on the night, echoed Petro’s gratitude.
“I’ve been shocked and amazed by people’s generosity,” he said.
“I expected a few bags from people who said they would be coming to the club and we have just been overwhelmed – it is amazing.”
Children’s clothes, nappies, toiletry and sanitary items remain the key items that are more desperately needed.
Stefan’s partner has relatives living in western Ukraine and explained it had been difficult finding out how they were and staying in touch, but understood they were safe at the moment.
“We did struggle to make contact with them and when we did get through on the phone for the first time they started crying and then we got cut off.”
Stefan also has two cousins who are both priests and living near Kyiv, while Petro and his wife also have cousins living in the western side of Ukraine.
“We have spoken with them and they are ok but that is where they are determined to stay. It is their home and where they were born,” he explained.
“They are going to sit it out for the time being, but this is such a fluid situation we don’t know what is going to happen next,” he said.
OVERWHELMED: Stefan Wolowiansky and Petro Rewko
Amazing generosity
Joseph Kowaltschuk is from Mossley and his Ukrainian grandfather came to Ashton after World War Two – hence his link to the centre.
He carried out a social media campaign to network with businesses and friends to encourage donations and drove around the whole of Greater Manchester collecting items.
“People’s generosity has been absolutely amazing, overwhelming really,” he said.
He travelled around Tameside mostly but also Salford to collect items.
He was volunteering his services to help sort and box items for delivery to Poland and Ukraine and also networking on social media to encourage the right kind of donations are made.
“Lots of people do want to donate but are not sure quite what is needed or where they can take it,” explained Joseph and businesses are now stepping in to help by becoming donation points.
“It has brought the community together in wanting to help and do something, but there has been of course an overwhelming feeling of shock and awe that this is going on in 2022 and innocent people are being left homeless, sick children are being left without medicine and families are being estranged from each other, but super proud of the Ukrainian people that they are fighting for what is right.
“But hopefully the Ukrainian people will be able to return to their homes as soon as possible to live a free life and in peace,” he added.
Images and video by Nigel Wood. The video at the top of the page was taken in Piccadilly Gardens at the latest 'Manchester Stands With Ukraine' gathering.
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