Suffolk's drop off points for Ukraine are being filled and emptied daily
Suffolk's generosity for the people of Ukraine continues
Last updated 10th Mar 2022
When it was announced that people were taking it upon themselves to deliver resources to the Polish border to help those in Ukraine, the people of Suffolk rallied together, collecting massive amounts of supplies.
Janine Edwards, has played a crucial role in organising various drop off points and getting businesses to help with storage and delivery.
She said she "kind of fell into it."
Janine told us: "I have mostly been co-ordinating warehouses, who don't have haulage and freight forwarders, who need additional drivers.
"We've just been collecting, we've tried to utilise everybody out there wanting to contribute and the response has just been amazing."
Everybody involved has been overwhelmed by the response. Drop off points are getting filled and emptied as quickly as possible.
"Over the last few days we've just seen a mountain of support which has just been amazing.
Baby shoes and toys for Ukraine
Baby shoes and toys for Ukraine
"Along with lots of other people, we've been working tirelessly to make sure we know what people need out there and we can get peoples donations out there and people know where to drop it. "
Janine told us about Oliver Horsman, from Trimley St Martin, and Darius Linkus, who have volunteered to drive to the Polish boarder and what this means to them.
She told us how initially, Darius, thought he would just fill a van, which has now become weekly runs. Last week Janine went to Bucklesham Primary school in her car to collect supplies.
When she arrived she realised her car wasn't going to fit everything the children had collected, so she called Darius to bring his van.
When he arrived, the children began helping place the boxes into the vehicle. Janine said she looked at Darius and saw him turn his head and wipe away a few tears.
Bucklesham Primary School isn't the only one helping.
When speaking to Lynn, one of the UTSF co-ordinators at GMA Warehouse she told me about St Marks Roman Catholic Primary School in Ipswich.
"The children have written letters to the children of Ukraine "because a lot of the Ukrainian people are catholic and they felt a connection to them."
A Prayer for Ukraine
We asked what what kind of supplies they are looking for.
Medical supplies and medical equipment, camping equipment, men's boots, sleeping bags warm blankets
Janine said "All the stuff we would need if we woke up and our lives had been turned upside-down. That's how I would look at it really, what you think you would need if you woke up in a war zone with nothing by tomorrow."
At this moment in time, Janine believes they have "filled 4 trucks in the first week," and they are hoping the kindness will continue and they can carry on delivering supplies.
Tony Barnes the managing director at GMA said "We are more than delighted to help.
"It means everything really, it's horrible what's going on and its very very close to home.
"We've got a one member of staff whose got family in Kyiv, who I believe are now safe in a house in Poland, so its all hit home to all of us how close it is."
He also said "We're open 24 hours a day Monday to Friday,and welcome donations."
All the donations they receive have been organised into categories and all clothes are washed before hand.
Locations where you can drop off donations can include.
COLCHESTER drop off point:
Salvation Army
Citadel, Butt Rd, Colchester CO3 3DA,
Tues - Fri 10am-4pm
IPSWICH drop off point:
Prince George House Care Home
102 Mansbrook Blvd, Ipswich IP3 9GJ
Mon - Fri 9am-4pm
FELIXSTOWE drop off point:
16-16B, Hamilton Rd, Felixstowe IP11 7AU
Mon-Sun 9am-3pm
Hand In Hand Pub
318 High Rd, Trimley St Martin, Felixstowe IP11 0RL
Mon-Sun