Amazing effort from local area

Local volunteers who have been collecting goods for Ukrainian refugees say they’ve been ‘overwhelmed’ by the generosity and support shown in the area.

Both the St Thomas Project in St Thomas’s Road, Spalding, and The Anglia Motel in Fleet have been turned into drop off points for collections.
Boxes of Hope, based at the motel, is working with the United Nations and has sent out its first lorry load of goods.
The garden centre at the motel has been transformed into a collection, distribution packing hub after being offered by owner Harold Payne.
Volunteer Mandy Baxter said: “It’s going really well and we’ve already getting another lorry load ready to go.
“It’s amazing really how it’s all come together and we’ve a fantastic group of volunteers who are helping sort through everything.”
Among them are members of Spalding Wombles litter picking group.
One of those, Jane Goodger, said: “What a truly humbling experience it was!
“We unloaded literally truckloads of new and used clothes, toys, pet food, toiletries, blankets, medication, sanitary products and military equipment and then sorted it into boxes ready.”
lMandy can be contacted on 07871 971868 or email mandybaxter961@gmail.com.
Donations can be dropped off between 9am and 9am Monday to Saturday and 11am and 4pm Sunday at the motel.
Meanwhile, after raising £3,500 for The Red Cross by visiting Holbeach Tesco, Harold and his amphibious vehicle are heading to Springfields this weekend.
He said: “I’m hoping to raise a total of £10,000 which will then be matched by the British government to take it up to £20,000.”
Elsewhere, Anne Darragh is overseeing the project which is part of St Norbert Catholic Church.
It’s due to be open today 10.30am to 12pm and 6pm and 7pm and Saturday 10am to 12pm for final donations.
“We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Spalding.
“There have been all kinds of gifts including one lovely lady who donated the baby clothes she’d spent lockdown knitting. If anyone has any contacts with direct links to Ukraine or to Eastern Poland, I would be delighted to hear from them. We would like to thank all those who have been so generous.”