AN empty store at Bournemouth’s biggest shopping centre opened its doors as a drop off point to allow for hundreds of donations for people in Ukraine yesterday.

Residents from across Dorset have been donating a range of goods including baby products, food and bedding to the former standalone Argos store at Castlepoint.

Castlepoint staff and volunteers are helping to organise the packing of goods ahead of their shipment to Poland on Thursday.

Read more: 

Since an appeal for donations was set up in the county over the weekend, organisers have been overwhelmed by residents’ generosity.

On Monday, Castlepoint management offered the use of the former Argos store and warehouse as somewhere to store the huge amount of donations.

David Pickett, centre manager at Castlepoint said: “What we’re doing is so simple but means so much.

“The local residents of Bournemouth and Poole have pulled together once again.”

Bournemouth Echo: Hundreds donate items to send for families fleeing Ukraine

David is hopeful that high volumes of donations will continue over the coming days.

He said: “The lorry leaving on Thursday is about 28 pallets worth and we hope to have a full lorry.

“Trying to keep up with it is a full operation.”

The donations have come as a result of the Facebook group- Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine-which was formed last Friday by local resident Karol Swiacki. The page has since grabbed the attention of nearly 2000 people who have wanted to show their support for Ukraine.

Karol said: “When I created the event on Friday evening, I didn’t realise it would be so big.

“I am sad about the reasoning behind this but what we’re doing is making people unite.

Bournemouth Echo: Hundreds donate items to send for families fleeing Ukraine

“I have never seen a reaction like this. It’s fantastic.”

After forming the group, Karol recruited the help of Boscombe shop owner, Daniel Sulimierski. The pair began gathering donations at local drop off points including Food Plus in Boscombe and Ferndown post office.

The opening of the Castlepoint warehouse has meant that Karol has more space to welcome donations.

Karol said: “Without this (the warehouse), everything would’ve taken a lot longer to sort.

“The warehouse is huge; here we have pallets, trollies and lifts for loading, and so many people have joined to help

“It’s the dream place for this to happen.”

Karol said the organisers have been in discussion with the Polish Embassy and have the support of Consul Radosław Gromski.

Organisers continue to welcome donations and the warehouse will be open between 9am-5pm daily.