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Islanders are being encouraged to donate clothes, toiletries and bedding to women and children fleeing the war in Ukraine - and many have already risen to the task.
Nearly 400,000 people have crossed the border into neighbouring countries in the hope of finding refuge since Russia first invaded last week - and the UN refugee agency is estimating that number could grow to four million.
Many - like the family of Ukraine-born islander Annoshka Kehoe, whose family are trying to flee to safety from Odessa to Jersey via Poland - have fled with little more than a backpack.
Poland is a key access point and several local groups, coordinated by are hoping to send aid there from Jersey.
St. John’s Village store appealed for donations for the Polish Red Cross on Saturday in an effort coordinated by Magdalena Zabierek and was met with a flurry of donations.
Magdalena told Express people can also drop parcels to her husband's restaurant, Mark Jordan at the Beach.
Islanders can leave donations at the restaurant until 14:00 on Tuesday.
Praised the community for their "big hearts", she said her office was already "full" from donations collected over the weekend and this morning alone.
From tomorrow, there will also be a collection at the Old Magistrate’s Court in Seale Street, St. Helier, in conjunction with the Polish consul.
The collection will last from 12 until 18:00 each day from Tuesday 1 until Sunday 6 March.
POLISH ???????? - JERSEY????????HUMANITARIAN AID FOR UKRAINE
— Simon Crowcroft (@SimonCrowcroft) February 27, 2022
From Tuesday 1 until Sunday 6 March from 12 to 6 there will be a central collection point at @StHelierJsy Old Magistrates Court, Seale Street. They need the following: Clothes, hats, gloves scarves,socks, bedding, sleeping bags etc
In St. Saviour, islanders can drop donations at the Parish Hall.
It will be open for donations until Friday, between the hours of 08:45 and 15:45 each day.
Islanders living in the West, meanwhile, will be able to make use of a drop-off at St. Brelade’s Parish Hall in St. Aubin.
Donations will be accepted from Tuesday 1 March to Saturday 5 March between 09:00 and 17:00.
“We’re a close knit community in St. Brélade and were once in a war setting ourselves in Jersey,” the Parish said on Twitter.
“Thank-you in advance for your help and kindness, let’s do our best, share our friendship with the Ukrainian people.”
#Polish???????? #Jersey???????? #Ukrainian ???????? Humanitarian Aid Appeal.
— Parish of St. Brélade (@StBreladeJersey) February 27, 2022
From Tues, 1st March to Sat 5th March, 9-5pm we would be delighted to receive any of the items on the attached list at the Parish Hall at St. Aubin for onward despatch by the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland.
The Deli coffee shop at Snow Hill, St. Helier, is also taking donations. The team said that there were already “a lot” of islanders who had come forward to help.
In a post to Instagram, they added that they had spoken to Caritas Poland in Rzesow who said that, while clothing was welcome, first aid, hygiene, baby products and disposable plates, bowels and crockery were particularly needed.
Pictured: The Deli thanked islanders for their support on Instagram.
They added: “As of yesterday, approximately over 220,000 Ukrainian citizens have crossed the border into Poland and it is estimated that the number will go over one million in Poland alone. Thank you.”
Les Ormes has now said that it will be accepting donations from 08:00 to 20:00 each day.
Les Ormes drop off update from the St. Brélade Parishioners Group on FB. #humanitarianaidappeal #ukraine???????? #collection #DonateUkraine #donate #RefugeesNeedHelp pic.twitter.com/KnlFPD7CMb
— Parish of St. Brélade (@StBreladeJersey) February 28, 2022
The first trip to bring the donations to Poland will be made next week, Les Ormes said.
Helping to deliver some of the donations will be the Normandy Trader.
Skipper Nathan Ollivier told Express: "We saw the appeal on social media, and recognised some of those involved as regular clients who ship freight with us.
“So, we reached out to them and offered to transport what they collect to Granville for free, which they readily accepted."
He continued: “...I expect we will sail with a container at some point next week.
“We just pleased to be able to do our bit to help those suffering in Ukraine.”
Farm Fuels and David Dawid Tomczyk, meanwhile, have donated some pallets to help with deliveries.
If you know of any other collections that should be listed, contact Express by emailing editor@bailiwickexpress.com.
Bedding
Sleeping bags
Cushions
Women’s and children’s clothing
Hats
Gloves
Scarves
Socks
Sanitary towels
Toothpaste
Toothbrushes
Shampoo
Soap
Hairbrushes and combs
Shaving foam
Stick deodorant
Nappies
Baby clothes
Medicine
Food
Cash
For all donations at each of the drop-off points, islanders are asked to ensure the boxes and bags of donations are clearly marked “POLISH RED CROSS” or “UKRAINE PCK”.
The Deli also suggested that islanders clearly label the bags with what’s inside to assist volunteers as they process donations.
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