Colchester community sends 100k meals to Ukraine

Colchester community sends 100k meals to Ukraine

Colchester community rallies to raise thousands for Ukrainian refugees

World Food Aid helps coordinate major appeal to deliver much need humanitarian aid directly from the community of Colchester to refugees in urgent need in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

An articulated truck carrying in the region of 100k meals departed Colchester last night (WEDNESDAY 15th JUNE, 2022) thanks to a tremendous community effort by the people of Colchester.

World Food Aid is helping coordinate the delivery of much need humanitarian aid directly from the community of Colchester to refugees in urgent need in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. The first lorry load of vital aid is now on its way to Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH) who are working on the ground to assist internally displaced families in eastern Ukraine, as well as refugees arriving into Poland.

The 100% not for-profit, local initiative is being spearheaded by Martin Leatherdale, Lion Walk Centre Manager, Former Colchester Mayor Cllr Robert Davidson, and the Dulai family, owners of Surya Foods and Colchester’s George Hotel.

It sees a host of Colchester organisations join forces, with significant backing from the wider local community, notably Community 360, Colchester United Reform Church and Our Colchester BID (Business Improvement District).

The Colchester to Ukraine: Humanitarian & Emergency Aid Campaign was officially launched at the Mayor of Colchester’s Best of British event held at Colchester Town Hall on April 23rd.The first goal of the campaign was to send one articulated lorry load of essential aid to those in need, with a view to scheduling further deliveries, if ongoing community support is forthcoming.

Surya Foods are contributing transport and production of food to the scheme while Lion Walk has opened a drop-off site to the public.

Speaking about the campaign Suki Dulai, CEO of Surya Foods said: “There are literally millions of mouths to feed, right now, so there really is no time to waste. We are so thrilled to have reached our first target, in just over a month, and hope the departure of this truck, with vital supplies, will inspire continued support so we can coordinate further aid drops.”

He added: “It is impossible to watch the horrors unfolding in Ukraine and not want to do something to help. Many of us have experienced a sense of helplessness, witnessing the despair and suffering and watching families lose loved ones and their homes.

“That is why, we, as a group of key businesses and organisations in Colchester, have come to the conclusion we should work together as a city and use the expertise of each member -playing to our strengths. By fundraising and donating real practical skills and resources we can ensure every pound the people of Colchester donates directly benefits Ukrainian refugees – no dilution. Surya Foods already has established transport routes through Europe, we understand the customs system and we can procure and produce food at very low prices. That means every pound goes further. We also have the capacity to dispatch articulated lorries, so we can transport significant amounts of food in one drop. This is what we do best and this is what we are proud to donate to this amazing community effort.

Martin Leatherdale, manager of Lion Walk Shopping Centre, said: “It’s humbling to support a community project of emergency humanitarian aid direct from our city – I am proud..

“The response from the Colchester community has been incredible. The last few weeks have been very challenging as we set about producing food boxes containing in the region of 100k meals – all done entirely by volunteers. But we have finally made it, and today is a very proud day for our community. We hope we can maintain the momentum and send further useful and relevant aid direct from our community to Ukraine.

“This is a 100 per cent Colchester based community project supported by the World Food Aid charity and we are proud to deliver every penny for penny, door to door.”

World Food Aid is appealing for monetary donations which will be used to procure and produce foods specifically demanded by aid agencies working on the ground. It is liaising with major organisations on the ground to ensure what is sent is needed and to help the donating public stay up to date with which items are in demand. When the charity has specific requests for blankets, sleeping bags, medicines etc. it will notify the public via its website and social media platforms. These can then be donated via the Lion Walk drop off centre which is also being used as a hub for creating much-needed food kits.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the worst refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Latest estimates suggest more than 5 million people have fled their homeland with many more displaced within Ukraine.

Cllr Robert Davidson said he was humbled and proud of his town’s response to the situation in Ukraine and said: “We should be proud to be part of such a caring community.”

The Lion Walk donation hub is located next to Primark, in Culver Street, and is in operation between 11am and 3pm.

The appeal, launched on 23rd April, reached its target of £25k mid last year thanks to 70 donations from the Colchester community.

Colchester to Ukraine Humanitarian and Emergency Aid Campaign Links:

VIDEO : Colchester to Ukraine Humanitarian and Emergency Aid Campaign

DONATIONS PAGE : Colchester to Ukraine Humanitarian and Emergency Aid Campaign

For further information or images please contactpr@suryafoods.com