A DONATION hub in Colchester has been transformed into a welcome point for Ukrainian refugees.
Peter Dutch had decided to rally people to help those in need after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The community interest company already had a network in place as he founded the Anti Loo Roll Brigade in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Within 24 hours of putting out a call for help, the Abbey Fields Medical Centre had been set up as a donations hub.
The hub had great success in getting vans with vital donations sent to an orphanage in Poland and to refugees from war-torn Ukraine.
Peter estimates the centre had been filled ten times over.
Read more >>> ‘Not helping Ukraine wasn't an option’ - community group sets up donations hub
Alongside their donations the Colchester volunteer group have also organised medicines to be sent to a Ukrainian hospital which are “saving lives as we speak”, Peter says.
Now the donation centre has been set up as a welcome hub serving as a free one-stop shop for refugees arriving in town.
A mini bus is taking refugees from the airport to their sponsors in Essex and the council is signposting arriving families to the hub.
The first refugees who arrived were welcomed with open arms by the volunteers at the centre, receiving vouchers and any essential items they might need.
One unaccompanied 16-year-old who liked basketball was given a hoop and a ball as well as a phone, laptop, clothes and vouchers.
He has since settled in and the Anti Loo Roll Brigade has gone the extra mile to make him happy with a video message coming soon from members of the Ukranian national basketball team.
Peter says none of this work would’ve been possible without the “amazing” response from the community who came together “from the word go”.
He said: “The way they’ve come together, it’s almost reminiscent of when we first set up and the way everyone came together with Covid.”
The volunteers who have worked tirelessly at the hub, since it first opened to now as its been transformed, were also thanked by the group founder.
He added: “It’s mind blowing what we’ve achieved in such a small space with such a small budget.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here