Individuals and community groups around the North East are working together to support Ukrainians and refugees who have fled the war torn country in the wake of Russia's invasion.
Volunteers in the Newcastle area have launched donation drives to gather clothing, food and essentials, which will be driven from the North East to Poland, from where they will be distributed to Ukrainiane and Ukrainian refugees.
Newcastle City Council has released a list of charities to support if you want to help the Ukrainians, while Northumberland County Council is set to publish an extensive list of donation points along with a wish list of items to send to Ukraine.
Read more: 'Putin is like Hitler' says Ukrainian North Shields sushi restaurant owner
The general public is stepping up too, and donations have flooded into drop off points set up in churches, restaurants, community centres and businesses.
If you want to donate clothes, food, hygiene products, nappies, medical supplies and toys for kids, below are some of the places you can do it.
Remember to check with who you are donating to first, as what is needed is constantly changing. Many are using their social media pages to update donors. In general, used clothes are not accepted at the moment.
Newcastle - Polish Centre
UPDATE March 10, 2022: The Polish Centre has paused taking collections as items need to be processed as the focus switches to delivering the goods to Poland and then Ukraine
Tyneside's Polish community is rallying around their country's Ukrainian neighbours, will collections for the next week of items that will be driven to Poland, where they will be distributed to Ukrainian refugees in Poland or transferred to Ukraine.
All goods can be delivered to the Polish Centre (Ośrodek Polski) in Maple Terrace, Newcastle between 2pm and 6pm from March 3 to March 13.
Used clothes are NOT being accepted at the moment, but the following items are:
Personal hygiene products
- soaps, shower gels, shampoos and hair conditioners, hair brushes
- toothbrushes and toothpaste, for children and adults
- antiperspirants and deodorants (mainly for women but also for men)
- face creams and tonics, hand creams for women.
- sanitary towels, tampons, panty liners
- larger sanitary pads for women in puerperium and nursing pads ( breast feeding pads)
- wet wipes, nappies of various sizes, tissues, cotton pads
Medical supplies
- first aid kits
- bandages, gauze and swabs, tourniquets, plasters, disposable gloves
- anti-pain, anti-fever and anti-inflammatory drugs for children and adults
- vitamins for children
- something for coughs, sore throat, stomach problems, nasal drops.
For children
- colouring books and crayons/markers
- small puzzles
- small soft toys/ cuddly toys
- sweets: chocolates, bars, snacks, etc
Also
- baby porridge, baby rice, fruit / vegetable snacks in tubes (not jars),
- instant foods such as soups, etc.,
- long-term foods such as canned food, etc.,
- paper towels, cutlery and disposable plates
- sleeping bags, mats, blankets
- power banks, batteries, flashlights
- Clothing in different sizes (please bring NEW items):
- women's and children's underwear
- cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits,
- thermal clothing,
- cotton leggings for women
- women's slippers, children's and women's pyjamas
- bath towels
Newcastle, Benwell
Donations of canned food, new blankets, and medical supplies can be taken to the West 15 business centre in Whickham View, Benwell, between 10am and 8pm every day until Sunday, March 6.
Morrisons - Various, includes Newcaste and Tynemouth
Morrisons supermarkets are taking donations, including its branches in Byker, Newcastle and Tynemouth, North Tyneside
There are donation buckets at tills, pick up packs, and a donation cage. Other Morrisons supermarkets are taking part too, check ahead with your nearest store if you want to donate.
Items requested are:
- Blankets
- Hygiene products
- Toys
- First aid equipment
- Pillows
North Shields
Items can be dropped off at Preston Grange Community Centre, North Shields, between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Friday March 4.
Items that are in "urgent" need include
- Camping mats
- Sleeping bags
- Protein bars
- Painkillers
- First-aid kits
- Warm blankets
- Thermals
- Large and medium backpacks
- Insulated flasks
- Baby food
- Nappies
- Sanitary Products
- Power banks for mobile phones
- Hot water bottles
- Male socks
Newcastle and North Tyneside
A collection organised by Sushi Yammi, Newcastle Rubbish Taxi and Di Meo's ice cream has so far seen more than three tonnes of goods donated.
Di Meo's updated its followers on Thursday to say it has stopped taking donations for now, but that may change in the coming days, so check their social media pages.
There is an urgent need for the following items, which can be dropped off between 5pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday, at Unit 23E, North Tyne Industrial Estate, Whitley Road, Benton, NE12 9SZ
- Power banks
- Medical supplies
- Crutches
- Portable light wheelchair
- Sealer tape and a dispenser for easy packaging
- Boxes
Northumberland, various
UPDATE 10.3.21: Northumberland County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj told ChroniclelIve on Thursday March 10 that the collections will temporarily pause to process items and sort out haulage
The following centres in Northumberland are accepting donations. Northumberland County Council says they can be dropped any time at containers outside the buildings, unless otherwise stated.
- Allendale Community Fire Station, Forstersteads, Shilburn Road, Allendale, NE47 9LG
Alnwick, Northumberland Hall, NE66 1SS, Market St (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 6pm)
- Amble Community Fire Station, Coquetdale Industrial Estate. Amble, NE65 0PE
- Belford Community Fire Station, The Meadows, Belford, NE70 7NZ
- Berwick Community Fire Station, Ord Road, Tweedmouth, TD15 2XU
- Haltwhistle Community Fire Station, Park Road, Haltwhistle, NE49 9BW
- Hexham Fire Station, Maidens Walk, Hexham, NE46 1DR
- Pegswood Community Fire Station, Pegswood, NE61 6SJ
- Ponteland Community Fire Station, Callerton Lane, Ponteland, NE20 9EY
- Prudhoe Community Fire Station, Front Street, Prudhoe, NE42 5DQ
- Seahouses Community Fire Station, Main Street, North Sunderland, Seahouses, NE68 7TZ
- West Hartford Community Fire Station, West Hartford Business Park, Cramlington, NE23 3JP
- Wooler Community Fire Station, 28 South Road, Wooler. NE71 6NJ
The centres above are accepting the following:
Personal hygiene products
- soaps, shower gels, shampoos and hair conditioners, hair brushes
- toothbrushes and toothpaste, for children and adults
- antiperspirants and deodorants (mainly for women but also for men)
- face creams and tonics, hand creams for women.
- sanitary towels, tampons, panty liners
- larger sanitary pads for women in puerperium and nursing pads ( breast feeding pads)
- wet wipes, nappies of various sizes, tissues, cotton pads
Medical supplies
- first aid kits
- bandages, gauze and swabs, tourniquets, plasters, disposable gloves
- anti-pain, anti-fever and anti-inflammatory drugs for children and adults
- vitamins for children
- something for coughs, sore throat, stomach problems, nasal drops.
For children
- colouring books and crayons/markers
- small puzzles
- small soft toys/ cuddly toys
- sweets: chocolates, bars, snacks, etc
Also
- baby porridge, baby rice, fruit / vegetable snacks in tubes (not jars),
- instant foods such as soups, etc.,
- long-term foods such as canned food, etc.,
- paper towels, cutlery and disposable plates
- sleeping bags, mats, blankets
- power banks, batteries, flashlights
- Clothing in different sizes (please bring NEW items):
- women's and children's underwear
- cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits,
- thermal clothing,
- cotton leggings for women
- women's slippers, children's and women's pyjamas
- bath towels
Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland
The team from Lemon and Thyme restaurant in Kelso, Scotland will drive a van to Poland to deliver donated goods. One of their collection points is in Berwick, Northumberland.
Items can be dropped off at Star Laundry, Compass Court, Ramparts Business Park, Berwick, TD15 1FB by noon on Sunday March 6.
They are requesting
- Thermal blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Raincoats
- Pillows
- Water purifying tablets
- Batteries and chargers
- Personal hygiene products (deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste)
- Sanitary products
- Wet wipes and pampers
- First aid kits
- Baby food
- Foods (canned fruit and veg, anything that doesn’t need fridge, cereal bars, dried fruits, cereal, soup, non dairy milk)
To donate petrol costs for those driving over, head to https://gofund.me/95518ac0
Prudhoe and Stocksfield, Northumberland
You can donate every day from 11am to 12 noon to Prudhoe Parish Church Hall, or between 8.30am and 5.30pm in Boots, Stocksfield.
- Camping beds & mattresses
- Bedding: duvets, pillows, bed linen, blankets, towels
- Non-perishable food: e.g. pasta, rice, oil, sugar, salt, coffee, tea, jam, Nutella, pate, canned food, baby food, energy/snack bars
- Toiletries: e.g. shampoo, soap, body wash, toothbrushes, mouth wash, deodorant, ibuprofen / paracetamol, feminine hygiene products, nappies - NO MORE TOOTHPASTE!
- (NB: Please do not bring items not on this list, especially clothing)
Rothbury, Northumberland
Items can be dropped off at All Saints Church Rothbury, between 7.30am and 5pm every day.
Personal hygiene products
- soaps, shower gels, shampoos and hair conditioners, hair brushes
- toothbrushes and toothpaste, for children and adults
- antiperspirants and deodorants (mainly for women but also for men)
- face creams and tonics, hand creams for women.
- sanitary towels, tampons, panty liners
- larger sanitary pads for women in puerperium and nursing pads ( breastfeeding pads)
- wet wipes, nappies of various sizes, tissues, cotton pads
Medical supplies
- first aid kits
- bandages, gauze and swabs, tourniquets, plasters, disposable gloves
- anti-pain, anti-fever and anti-inflammatory drugs for children and adults
- vitamins for children
- something for coughs, sore throat, stomach problems, nasal drops.
For children
- colouring books and crayons/markers
- small puzzles
- small soft toys/ cuddly toys
- sweets: chocolates, bars, snacks, etc
Also
- baby porridge, baby rice, fruit / vegetable snacks in tubes (not jars),
- instant foods such as soups, etc.,
- long-term foods such as canned food, etc.,
- paper towels, cutlery and disposable plates
- sleeping bags, mats, blankets
- power banks, batteries, flashlights
- Clothing in different sizes (please bring NEW items):
- women's and children's underwear
- cotton T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits,
- thermal clothing,
- cotton leggings for women
- women's slippers, children's and women's pyjamas
- bath towels
County Durham
Blankets, Sleeping bags, travel cushions, children's clothing, adults clothing, socks and underwear, nappies, first aid kits, toiletries, non-perishable food and children's soft toys
Drop off items at:
- Quarrington Hill Community Centre (Wednesday from 6pm; Thursday and Saturday from 10.30am to 2pm; Monday from 11am to 1.30pm)
- The Fitness Lab, Spennymoor (Weekdays 6am to 9am; weekends 8am to 2pm)
- Sherburn Hill Community Hub, Sherburn (Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 2pm
- Greenhills Centre, Wheatley Hill, (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6.30pm
Durham
St Cuthbert and St Bede Orthodox Church is organising a collection.
Items can be dropped off by 6pm on Friday March 4, if you miss that, the church aims to make another delivery the following week.
The church asks you to box up your items and label the box with what is inside.(eg nappies, sanitary pads). Put the items in boxes no bigger than 61cm X 46cm X 46cm and a maximum 20kg weight
If possible, drop off donations by 6pm on Friday 4th March at Fr Justin's house in Durham (5 Wanless Terrace, Durham, DH1 1RU).
At the moment, the church's Ukraine appeal is not accepting clothes donations.
Here is what they are asking for
- Nappies (sizes 3+)
- Baby wipes
- Milk bottles for babies
- Formula milk in tin cans
- Dummies
- Nappy rash cream
- Sanitary towels & tampons
- Wet wipes
- Deodorants
- Toothbrushes
- Toothpaste
- Body lotion
- Hand sanitiser
- Antiseptic wipes
- Face masks
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Bandages
- Towels
- Blankets
- Camping gear, e.g. pots, pans, etc. (collapsible)
- Camping mats (neoprene)
- Sleeping bags
- Letters of support in English, Romanian or Ukrainian
South Shields
You can drop off items on the list below to Goldfinch Estate Agents, Fowler Street, South Shields. They will be taken to a donation centre in Benton, near Newcastle.
They are asking for:
- Camping mats
- Sleeping bags
- Protein bars / energy bars
- Painkillers such as ibuprofen
- Anti-flu medicine such as lemsips
- Wound dressing materials
- First aid kit
- Warm blankets
- Thermals/base layers
- Hot water bottles
- Insulated flasks
- Baby food
- Nappies
- Sanitary products
- Power banks for charging phones
- Large and medium size backpacks
- Men's socks
Sunderland
Various collections are underway in Sunderland, including one at the Saltgrass pub in Hannover Place. Donations can be dropped off 12-6pm Mon - Thur and 12 - 10pm Sat
They need:
- camping mats
- sleeping bags
- protein bars / energy bars
- painkillers (e.g. ibuprofen)
- anti-flue medicine(Lemsips etc))
- wound dressing materials
- first aid kit
- warm blankets
- thermals/base layers
- hot water bottles
- insulated flasks
- baby food
- nappies
- feminine sanitary products
- power banks (for charging phones)
- large and medium size backpacks
- male socks
Clothes in general - other than items mentioned above - are not being accepted at the moment.
There is also a drop-off point at English Martyr's Primary School on Redcar Road, during school hours. There is a Sunderland for Ukraine Facebook group here which is helping direct people to donations.
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