TWO AMBULANCES packed with supplies are on route from Northampton to Poland and Ukraine to hand deliver goods to Polish schools and distribution centres near the Ukrainian border.
This convoy has been organised by logistics company Goodwill Solutions, Brackmills Industrial Estate Business Improvement District and Northampton Town Council. Both vehicles departed with school items for Ukrainian refugee children studying in Polish schools, along with food, clothing and first aid equipment which will go directly to Ukraine.
Brackmills BID chief executive Sara Homer pictured right is aboard the convoy. “Poland has become a transit route and home to millions of Ukrainians since the war broke out and, thanks to the generosity of so many people and businesses, we are now able to make a tangible difference and deliver supplies to the children and their families who have been impacted by this horrific war,” she said.
“I am proud to be representing Brackmills and making this humanitarian trip.”
Goodwill Solutions, a logistics company based on Brackmills, has spearheaded the convoy. Its managing director John Sheriff has been sharing regular updates on LinkedIn on the convoy’s progress and experiences. On May 1, he wrote: “Today our humanitarian trip hit a delay with a puncture. Polish workers stopped to help us – showing that there are some good people around who support what we are doing.
“It’s not easy for aid to reach Ukraine and it takes a lot of effort. Onwards.”
The convoy was inspired by a Northampton town councillor. “One of our councillors is Polish and told me about primary schools in the country,” said Cllr Jane Birch, chair of the council’s community services committee.
“Pupils, he told us, are looked after and well fed but simply can’t afford pens, paper, pencil cases and other school supplies. We started collecting in Northampton and then got a call from Stratford Upon Avon Town Council who wanted to help too.
Thanks to this double dose of generosity we have filled both ambulances and the convoy is now on route. A huge thank you to our convoy’s trio of drivers Slav, John and Sara.”
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