Cornish school children send aid packages to families in Ukraine
Pupils also made cards and messages of hope to send to those displaced by the war
Schoolchildren in Cornwall have sent hundreds of boxes of supplies and essential items to children and families in Ukraine.
St Columb Major Academy put together a package of aid to send to those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
In total 300 essential packs for children, six family essential boxes and many other additional items were put together at the school last week. Children also made cards and messages of hope to send to those displaced by the war.
The packages were all collected by Suez Recovery and Recycling UK which is transporting them to Poland where Ukrainian children are being cared for. Items for the packages were donated by children at the school as well as the wider community.
Hollie Doherty, whose son Neil suggested the school should help, said: “We had a very eventful day. We were able to make up 300 children essential packs, 6 family essential boxes, and additional items including extra hand warmers, torches, toiletries, extra games and sweets for the children. The children have been so thoughtful and caring with their packages it has been very touching.
“The community of St Columb has been amazing, and also the surrounding area with Mawgan Porth donating money from their bingo night, to people donating money when their car was in the garage being fixed. Everyone just wants to help in some way or another, you can tell they have true community spirit, I have been very touched by their support.”
School headteacher Marie Taylor added: “We teach our pupils to be active citizens of the World. We have been talking about the news and the current situation in Ukraine. We have been discussing the rights of every child and what we can do to make a difference.
“One of our pupils, Neil and his family brought the idea to make special boxes which we can send out to the children to bring a smile to their face. We have worked with the community to gather essential items such as hand warmers, torches, soaps and much more.
“There has been a buzz amongst the children as they make their boxes including a toy that they want to give to a child, some sweet treats, pencils and pens. We are excited to hear that our parcels reach Ukraine and are given to a child and bring a smile to their faces at this difficult time.”
Clare Coad, operations manager at Suez, said: “‘When Hollie heard that I was organising donations and collections for Ukraine through my workplace, SUEZ, she contacted me and explained that the school would like to make up care-packs for children to send with the items collected by SUEZ.
“The St Columb Major children also drew pictures to send with the care-packs and we have received so many wonderful, bright, creative pictures. It has been great to come together with our local community to support the people and children of Ukraine.”