Scouts across Gedling have quickly responded to an urgent call to help support Ukrainian citizens displaced by the Russian invasion.
Hundreds of thousands of refugees were forced to flee Ukraine following the invasion by Russian, which began last week.
Many have now made their way into neighbouring Poland, which has opened its doors to them.
As a result, a Polish International Scout Group based on the border of Gedling, put out an appeal to their fellow Scouts to provide emergency relief supplies which they would distribute to the refugees where they are needed.
Beavers, Cubs and Scouts from across the Central Notts District, which comprises a majority of Gedling and part of Newark / Sherwood, have delivered several car loads of supplies in response to this call for assistance.
The aid – which includes medicine, dried food, bedding, nappies, hygiene products and clean underwear – was delivered to the HQ of the 45th Nottingham Scout Group on Edwards Lane, Bestwood. There, dozens of volunteers from the Polish Scouting community sorted and packed it all into boxes to be loaded for the journey and rapid distribution at the other end.
There was a second collection point in Nottingham City at Sneinton Library.
Both locations were piled high with donations, demonstrating the incredible sense of feeling around the current refugee crisis. All have now departing Nottingham for Poland, with a second run due to take place next week.
Tom Andrews, group Scout leader of the 1st Daybrook and Woodthorpe Scout Group said: “When we heard of the appeal by the Polish International Group and shared it with our young people and parents, the response was overwhelming.
“Scouting is a worldwide movement taking place in 216 countries worldwide. This is epitomised at the World Scout Jamborees where young people from across the world gather in one country every four years.
“The 2027 event is even due to take place in Poland. We as a group have provided two full cars’ worth of supplies, with the assistance of parents and pupils at the Good Shepherd School; and other groups from across the district have provided similar.
“This just shows the worldwide power of Scouting, and the sympathy to the plight of the millions of Ukrainians suffering as a result of the war.
“The effort put in by the organisers and volunteers of this shipment is absolutely phenomenal and on behalf of the Scout group I’d like to express my sincerest thanks to all those who are working to facilitate this”.
Those who wish to wish to donate to the Ukraine refugee crisis, the Disasters Emergency Committee are taking donations at https://donation.dec.org.uk/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal
Its fantastic that the scouts are aiding people this way