A couple of weeks ago I got a press release about a local appeal which was sending the largest shipment of aid to be sent from the Highlands to Ukraine – I mean the figures were simply mind blowing. It was at the end of my week off work but I still managed to get something into the paper last week. I asked the organisers to send pics of its arrival and this appeared in today’s paper. It is still good to see such local collections and it looks like this one will continue.

A HUGE shipment of aid collected in the Highlands of Scotland has been unloaded for distribution to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

It left Inverness at the end of last month and it arrived at its destination of a warehouse in Lublin after a 1600-mile journey last Thursday.

The aid will be distributed by the Polish Red Cross (PCK) among the besieged civilians who fled their homes following the Russian invasion.

It was collected by Highlands for Ukraine – which was quickly set up during the early days of the invasion by Polish-born businessman Thomas Machnik who lives in the Highlands – in Inverness and the surrounding area.

The vital supplies, included bedding, nappies and toiletries, which were donated by businesses, charities, schools and individuals.

However, when it reached Lublin the Red Cross had a surprise for driver Piotr Klimek and Mr Machnik said: “Natalia Kusmierczuk, the humanitarian aid co-ordinator for PCK Lublin phoned me straight away after the delivery arrived to let me know that they were very positively surprised by our paperwork.

“We had gone above and beyond what is required and we made it very easy for them to transfer the aid straight into another lorry and on into Ukraine with no sorting or delays.

“Apparently it was, by far, the best organised delivery they have ever received.”

The Red Cross in Poland were also amazed at the generosity of people in the Highlands, said Mr Machnik. 

Speaking after his journey Mr Klimek said: “I am so proud to work for such a generous company and to play my part in delivering vital humanitarian aid from the Highlands to Poland.”

From the  Highland News on Thursday, May 5, 2022.