Over a hundred boxes of Dundee donations set to help Ukrainian refugees
The Overgate have been working in partnership with local Polish deli Polski Sklep Kubus
Donations from across Dundee and Tayside are set to be transported to Poland to support Ukrainian refugees.
An emergency appeal was launched in the city of discovery by local Polish deli Polski Sklep Kubus to benefit Ukrainian refugees. The city’s Overgate Shopping Centre have been working in partnership to support the appeal.
The centres management stepped in to offer their support after hearing how the small deli had been overwhelmed with donations after just one day.
Now, following a remarkable round-the-clock logistical exercise, 122 boxes of 4,000 essential items worth over £15,000, and cash donations of £800, will leave Overgate today by truck and make the journey to Poland as part of a British Red Cross convoy.
18-year-old Michal Grubba has been leading the donations efforts. He said: "We thought at first it was just going to be Polish people because we just advertised it on our Facebook page, but, once the word spread it just was everyone helping out from in Dundee and also the surrounding area like Fife and Tayside."
He added: "This will probably help a lot of people, like, we've sent over around maybe 20 tons of stuff already and we just want to help out as much as we can."
Metta Ramsay, Community Manager of Overgate said: “The Ukrainian refugee emergency demands fast actions and Overgate is pleased to have been in a position to be able to step up immediately and help coordinate this appeal.
“It really has been a formidable team effort. Michal at Polski Sklep Kubus has been instrumental in coordinating the transport link between Dundee and the Red Cross in Poland, Overgate has provided its Gather unit and staff to process donations, as well as making a cash contribution, and Police Scotland Youth Volunteers and Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action gave up their weekend to help sort and repack a staggering 122 boxes of donations.
“Everyone involved with the appeal is immensely grateful to the public and local businesses for their generosity. The truck will be loaded up today at Overgate and donations will be on their way to help Ukrainian refugees. Overgate hopes to be able to share an update on the arrival of the donations over the coming days.”