It has now been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, and Newcastle College still stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and supports their right to peace, freedom and sovereignty.
Since its initial response to the crisis, when colleagues and students worked closely with charities to help raise awareness, provide practical support and collect donations of cash and essential items, the College and its community have continued to support Ukrainian refugees and displaced families.
Just last month, Newcastle College helped to collect and distribute 4000 pairs of adult socks, clothing and medical supplies to Ukrainians and in February coordinated a similar response to the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, with hundreds of items of clothing, food and medication being donated through the Newcastle Turkish Mosque.
Finance Administrator Caroline Smith, who coordinated the delivery, said: “Unfortunately the Turkish Embassy could not accept the clothing donated, and people had been so generous once again. I couldn’t let all those donations go to waste, so I contacted people I’d worked with on the Ukrainian donations last year. I found that there were some coaches going over in March, so I arranged for our items to be added to the transport.”
Learners and colleagues at Newcastle College are still working to collect essential items to be distributed across Ukraine.
If you would like to get involved, they are still very much in need of the following items, which can be deposited in any of the boxes in reception across the Newcastle College sites.
- Paracetamol
- Ibuprofen
- First Aid items / kits
- Calpol
- Child Nurofen
- Cold / Flu Treatments
- Antiseptic gel, cream and wipes
- Multivitamins
- Torches with batteries, including head torches
- Power banks and cables for charging phones
- Protein bars
- Feminine sanitary products
- Tinned tuna
- Dried/tinned cat and dog food
- Flour
- Sugar
If you have any questions, or would like to donate other items, please contact caroline.smith@ncl-coll.ac.uk