Good luck to everyone. Three vehicles and seven drivers have set off from Northampton tonight to deliver food, clothes and medical supplies to three Polish refugee camps and an orphanage on the border of Ukraine.
The convoy, organised by Brackmills Business Improvement District in partnership with Goodwill Solutions, is set to catch a midnight ferry from Dover to Dunkirk, packed with goods donated by generous Northamptonshire people, families and businesses.
The new mayor of Northampton, Cllr Dennis Meredith, was one of many to wave off the convoy and wish them luck.
Sara Homer, CEO of Brackmills BID, said: “We are taking medical supplies, nappies, women’s sanitary products, children’s shoes and lots of food to support the people of Ukraine. The generosity from Northamptonshire people has been overwhelming. Just a few days ago a lovely lady donated five tubs of sweets and asked me to give them to children in the orphanage. This generosity has been replicated multiple times, thank you everyone.”
John Sherriff, group development director of Goodwill Solutions added: “Thank you to the people of Northamptonshire who have been so incredibly generous. Please keep donating to ensure we can continue supporting the people of Ukraine.”
Uniquely, this Northampton convoy won’t be driving home after their trip. Their three vehicles are part of the donation and are being gifted to the Ukrainian army. This means Sara, John and the rest of the team will be flying home to the UK after their visit.
Sara added: “I am not anxious but I am cautious of course – we have to go through check points and we are having all the vehicles branded with the word ‘Humanitarian Convoy. My daughter Brogan is joining us as one of the drivers. I also want to thank Signs Express Northampton for donating all the vehicle graphics and – the signage on the vehicles has been donated by Signs Express. Work Wear Northampton for designing and gifting us branded, embroidered shirts to wear – the emblem ‘Northampton Supports Ukraine’ is something we are proud to wear.”
You can continue to support Northampton Supports Ukraine:
- To donate products visit Goodwill Solutions, 1056 Deer Park Road, NN3 6R between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Call 01604 422464 on arrival.
- There is a dedicated bank account for financial donations. Name Goodwill Solutions CIO, sort code 20-90-08, account number 63993264