The Ukraine Aid Appeal, sponsored by the Leeds Charity Lunch, is now its way to Ukraine.
Four vans with around 5,000 shoeboxes have left Leeds Irish Centre and are on their way to be donated to children and adults in Ukraine, thanks to local donations and volunteers.
Children from the local area have donated their own toys and written letters in both English and Ukraine in hopes of providing some emotional support to those in the country.
Organised by founder of Vulnerable Citizens Support, Haydn Jessop and fellow volunteer John Gibbons, the pair collaborated with the Leeds Irish Centre’s Business Men and Women’s Charity Lunch to find more vans to help transport the donations over into Europe.
Volunteer John Gibbons said in a video from Leeds Irish Centre: “it’s just been something that came out of the blue” and spoke of the situation in Ukraine. “We decided to do something about it we got our volunteers together and this is it”, pointing to the vans ready to take over the donations.
It is expected that the vans will reach Ukraine early next week, with an anticipated journey time of between five and a half and six full days of travelling.
Before the volunteers left with the donations, Cannon Eugene Mcguilicuddy led a blessing, thanking “the hospitality of the Irish Centre and the hospitality of the great people of Leeds here and the general public”.
Leeds United legend Rob Burrow MBE and father Geoff Burrow attended the event to ‘wave off’ the donations. Excited to be a part of this initiative, Geoff Burrow spoke at length on behalf of himself and his son about the cause:
“It’s important to the world, what’s happening and its initiatives like this that mean so much to me.
“To be going over to Ukraine and delivering these boxes, these shoe boxes, which is a brilliant initiative, shows the kindness of Leeds Irish Centre and Leeds Charity Lunch.
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“The things that they do for people, they never stop- it’s quite breathtaking how kind they are.”
Father of the former-Leeds United player added, “In five and a half days, maybe six days they’ll be over there and it wont be such a nice day like it is today so god bless” and tweeted a good luck message later that day.
We were privileged yesterday to be invited to the wonderful Leeds Irish Centre and wave off 4 vans full of love and items for the brave people of Ukraine. Leeds at its very best 💙safe journeys and God Bless Ukraine 🇺🇦 people x
— Geoff Burrow (@burrow_geoff) April 15, 2022
The Shoebox Appeal is still continuing to collect donations to send to Ukraine. At present, any donations are encouraged but clothing, toiletries, toys, supportive letters from children and first aid will be particularly welcomed.
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Donations should be dropped off at the Leeds Irish Centre and the organisation is also able to help provide more information about the cause to those that need it.
Feature Image- Leeds Irish Centre
