Volunteers from across Dorset have been helping to sort through the overwhelming amount of donations for Ukraine ahead of Friday's shipment to Poland.
An unoccupied warehouse in Castlepoint has become a sorting base for the donations, which has seen an influx of people flocking to support the operation.
The drop-off facility was closed on Thursday due to the sheer amount of goods donated which needed sorting through.
Read more: We're FULL: Castlepoint warehouse for Ukraine collections closed today
Hollie Craig, a 23-year-old student, has been helping to pack the donated goods into boxes.
She said: “We’ve all been given a section to work through. We put everything in boxes and then move them on to the other volunteers.”
The donations have come as a result of the Facebook group- Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine- which was formed by Karol Swiacki last week.
Karol has since teamed up with staff at Castlepoint shopping centre to occupy a warehouse which allowed for a high volume of donations.
Hollie said: “For something that’s been organised last minute it’s brilliant and has been organised really well.
“It’s something we’ve all been following on the news. This situation should never be happening anyway.
“If this is a tiny thing I can do to help then I’m definitely going to do it.
“I think we all feel the same- we can’t do much, but we can do something.”
Volunteers began to arrive to the warehouse from 9am this morning, with food and drinks provided for the teams.
Megan Searson, who offered her morning to help, said: “We heard on Facebook that they were looking for volunteers. We just thought it was for a really good cause.
“I hope to be here for a few hours. I’m in the middle of my mock exams so I’m giving as much as I can at the moment.”
“It’s not their (Ukraine’s) fault that they are being invaded and there are so many people there who need our help.”
The first donations will be shipped to Poland on Friday before being distributed across Ukraine.
What next for appeal?
Organisers of the Dorset Polish Centre said: "Please also note that WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE FINANCIAL DONATIONS (instead of products) to organizations that have been dealing with humanitarian aid, work with refugees and migrants in Poland for many years and understand the needs of the fleeing Ukrainians."
"Please click on the link below to find a short list of trusted organisations we have direct or indirect contact with."
https://www.facebook.com/dorsetpolishcentre/posts/3198235493772409
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