A West Heath man has revealed the most sought after items to be donated at our town's leading Ukrainian donation site.

Mark Bailey, who was previously known for Congleton businesses Marks Events and Marks Flowers, has now helped distribute hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of aid to Ukraine and the Ukrainian border.

As Mark is part Biddulph Rotary, his fellow Rotarian Mark Lomas was keen to expand Mark's presence at Glebe Farm in setting up a donation point to support Ukrainians affected by the ongoing conflict.

And the next truck is going out on May 2, with a large list of supplies urgently needed.

"So the next truck is going out in less than a fortnight," said Mark.

"We're teaming up with the Macclesfield Ukrainian Donation Team who are sending extra vehicles there as well. 

"Having now sent £72,000 worth of aid, we are now aiming for £28,000 worth of aid to be donated, so we can get to that magic figure of £100,000. 

"It is absolutely fantastic how much stuff people in Congleton have donated. But it has started to plateau."

The most desired items at the Glebe Farm donation point on Peel Lane are as follows:

• Food 
• Toiletries
• Batteries (including torches with batteries)
• Sanitary products
• Nappies
• Wipes 
• First Aid Supplies
• Wheelchairs
• Cruches/walking sticks
• Walking frames

Congleton Nub News reported that the Astbury hub for Ukrainian goods valued their donations at the £40,000 milestone on March 17, just three weeks after Russia's invasion began. This week - with your help - they will have doubled that figure.

"When we distribute it is great to receive pictures and hear from drivers along the way," added Mark.

"We've managed to get everything to at least Poland, and get some things into Ukraine.

"It was amazing to receive a message from a baby hospital in Ukraine, saying they'd received our goods as well.

"Another new thing that has been set up recently [in relation to this] is partnering with all the food banks in Congleton and Biddulph.

"We needed to make sure that food being donated [to Ukraine] isn't being taken from our local foodbanks.

"So I set up a meeting with all local food banks. But it was pleasing to hear that they hadn't seen a significant decrease in stock donated, which was amazing.

"And it also helped to join them up so they can help each other out if they are low on stock, or had an excess of a certain product to donate to another."

If you can't make it to Glebe Farm, all Ukrainian donations to Congleton Town Hall are being diverted there, before heading to Eastern Europe.

Labour MP Sarah Champion said today that "12 million people in Ukraine needed humanitarian support, as well as four million who had fled the country."

The Guardian figures suggest 66% of Ukrainian children have left their homes in some form of another since the invasion began.

The Congleton Ukrainian Donation Hub is open during working hours, and is situated towards the right of the Glebe Farm carpark.

Just enter Peel Ln, Astbury, Congleton CW12 4RQ into your satnav.

See Also: Congleton resident to make second trip to Ukraine

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