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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Sian Traynor

Edinburgh and Lothians donations seen getting unloaded across Ukrainian border

A series of goods and essential supplies has made the thousand-mile trip from Scotland to Ukraine, with the packages finally arriving this week.

In the last couple of weeks a number of people across Edinburgh and the Lothians have organised collections for those in need, packing up toiletries, clothes and food items.

Passing through multiple border controls, some of the first supplies from the capital were pictured being handed over on Friday (March 11.)

READ MORE - Edinburgh Ukraine crisis hub hit with positive Covid test from volunteer

Sharing the images, Penicuik resident Chris Dakin told Edinburgh Live he had initially shared a suggestion for the collection to help a friend who has family in Ukraine.

However, the local community soon jumped on board, with an "overwhelming" amount of items handed in to be sent to the border.

Now, the goods have been delivered, with images showing the Ukraine sign and checkpoint as boxes are unloaded from vans.

Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Chris said: "On Sunday, February 27, my colleague, Lukasz Karbowniczek posted a messaged into the group chat for our work asking if we could help him donate a few things to help the cause.

"His wife is from the Ukraine and has family there. I was looking through stuff to help him and decided the little I could give wouldn't be enough. I then posted his messaged onto Penicuik residents forums and on my on feed, asking people to drop off at Teviot Court.

"We stressed that to people that we did not want money donations and just to bring what you could spare. The result of that was overwhelming. So much so, we have sent over 500 boxes of goods to the Ukraine.

"The first lorry's left on Friday March 4, we worked with sunflower Scotland, a charity set up to add those in need in the Ukraine. They felt with all the necessary paper work with the lorry's.

"It's been Ukrainian lorry drives volunteering to drive over. They told us that they have never seen the border crossing so busy with lorries going to the Ukraine but that the people was far greater than anything they'd ever experienced."

You can find all of Edinburgh Live's coverage of Ukraine and how you can help here.

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