Long Buckby Ukraine essentials donations

Long Buckby residents have organised a collection of essential items to help thousands of refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

More than 300 boxes of donations - more than half a lorry load - have been donated so far to a collection point at Long Buckby Community Centre.

Local volunteers including Long Buckby Scouts are helping to check and load the boxes.

One of the organisers. Leah Brookes said: "A local Polish transport and logistics company, PMP Transport and Removals, collected the donations in an articulated lorry delivering directly to The Red Cross Distribution Hub in Stalowa Wola, close to the Ukraine border in Poland.  We would like to thank everybody for their generous support."

Donations can be taken to Long Buckby Community Centre on Saturday and Sunday (March 19 and 20) from 10am - 1pm.

Essential items needed are:

• Nappies and baby wipes
• Non perishable food items - tins, dried food, instant foods, instant drinks
• Sanitary products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, hygiene products
• First aid supplies - first aid kits, plasters, bandages, foil emergency blankets
• Torches, batteries, power banks
• Children's drawing books, colouring books, pencils, colouring pens, crayons, stickers
• Washing Up liquid, washing powder, household disposable cleaning wipes
• Brand new underwear and socks - childen's and adults - Must be new
• Baby food (not glass) and baby milk formula

The Red Cross Hub is not currently collecting clothes, blankets, towels, sleeping bags, duvets, tents or toys.