Rotary collection for Ukraine tops £3,000 in Axminster

Axminster Rotarians have been astonished by the generosity of townsfolk who have donated £3,200 for the provision of medical supplies in Ukraine.

Local Rotarians have been collecting donations at the weekly street market in Axminster and at the Tesco store.

A spokesman for the Rotary Cub of Axminster said: "This money will go to Rotary Clubs out in Ukraine and Poland to help the Rotarians out there with their 24-hour efforts they are making to help their refugees and to assist with humanitarian aid."

The worldwide Rotary organisation set up a special Ukraine crisis task force to co-ordinate fundraising through the International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals.

Fellowship chairman Dr John Philip explained: "With the help of colleagues on the front line, we have prepared a list of essential medicines and devices needed in Ukraine. We have also worked out ground logistics, safe local airports, overland routes, and other aspects.

"At the border with Poland, Rotary has access to warehouses with temperature-controlled storage for drugs. We can also assist with large cargo carrying aircraft as well as smaller aircraft both at international hubs and at smaller airports near the Ukrainian border."

Other Rotary associated organisations are also providing Ukraine with much needed assistance. For example, the Water Survival Box charity in Somerset has sent two pallets of toothpaste and toothbrushes valued at £8,000 to Poland.

And the West Country-based Shelter Box, which has extensive knowledge of disaster relief and what works with traumatised displaced people and refugees. They have established a team of ten Rotarians in Moldova to support them.