'Overwhelming' response to CPC appeal for Ukraine aid

A collection campaign for aid to Ukraine refugees organised by Cross & Passion College ended a day early this morning because of the 'overwhelming' response, writes Brian Byrne.

The initiative began last Monday when CPC teacher Carol Lynch and student helpers put out an appeal on the school's app and social media for donations of specific items needed at the reception centres set up in Poland to help the families fleeing the war in Ukraine, the numbers of whom have now exceeded a million people.

"We have been bringing car loads of donations every day to a collection point at the Community Centre in Sallins," says Carol, who has been managing the CPC effort between teaching classes at the college. "That collection was being managed by a lady from Poland who is in direct contact with people near the border. But she has paused taking donations because she has been overwhelmed, so this morning's collection from Kilcullen is being brought directly to the truck wash centre in Naas from where it is planned that eight container trucks will shortly be leaving for Poland."

People responding to the appeal complied very closely to a list issued by the CPC group, which included nappies, sanitary products, toiletries, dried and tinned foods, children's clothes and toys, and medical supplies. "As well as response from the parents of our pupils, people in the Kilcullen community have also been bringing in donations," Carol says. "We're really very grateful to all who have helped."

Pictured with this morning's donations are Grace O'Donnell, Solene Bird-Postrowa, Zara Heyden, Kate O'Connor, Dylan Rafferty and teacher Carol Lynch.

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