REDDITCH transportation giant Oakland International is offering to transport aid for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian onslaught.
The Beoley-based company is providing the lorries and the drivers and is co-ordinating a UK level response of up to 50 transports from 10 hubs across the country.
However, it is appealing for help and direction so that the humanitarian aid goes to the right people and locations in Poland.
The Beoley-based firm has received a tremendous number of offers of help from volunteers, schools, drivers, and companies contacting them from across the UK offering their goods.
And it says any community groups wanting to send supplies to Ukraine or its borders can drop their goods off at Attwell Park Farm, Seafield Lane, B98 9DB, which is just north of Redditch off the A435 at Bransons Cross.
This is open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week.
But a spokeswoman said the firm would not send stock which had been donated with good intentions to support the people of Ukraine unless it could be sure that it can be dispersed effectively and that there is no chance of abuse of goodwill.
She added that to date, they had received no response from any government body or from the International Red Cross on this issue.
Furthermore their own contacts had advised that warehouses with storage facilities in Poland were struggling with lack of guidance on distribution requirements.
“For the interim, they will not be accepting any perishable chilled stock until such time that they have been able to obtain full guidance on the supply chain network contacts in Poland,” said the spokeswoman.
“This is also so they can confirm to the donor of supplies the location and which humanitarian aid body have received their goods for dispersal.”
Email: [email protected] for groups to coordinate directly with Oakland International.
Item needed:
Infants / children: Baby food and formula milk for children /nappies of all sizes –disposable sheets /child’s medications (Calpol, Nurofen ) /baby bottles
General: Torches /batteries /power banks /bedding /duvets /blankets /sleeping bags /waterproofs
Medical: Sanitary products for women/medication/first aid/ anti diarrhoea tablets /Nurofen /activated charcoal /bandages /gauze /eye ointment /vitamins /antiseptic spray /antiseptic wipes /Savlon gel /Sudocrem /Antiseptic healing cream /antihistamines /scissors /candles /bags.
Hygiene products: Soap /combat ready ointment /talcum powder /flannels /wash sponges /wash bag kits /deodorant /hand gel cotton swabs /razor blades /toothpaste /toothbrushes /disposable razors
Food: Non-perishable foods (Tins etc) /tea, coffee /sweets /granola bars /oat bars /dried fruit /small juice boxes /UHT drinks
Clothing, all ages: New socks /new underwear /warm winter wear /waterproofs /Wellingtons
