Hucknall residents and businesses unite to collect donations for the people of Ukraine

Hucknall residents and local business owners are pulling together to amass and deliver donations to help the people of war-torn Ukraine.

The devastation caused by the Russian invasion of the country which began last Thursday (24 February) has filled British television screens over the last few days.

These scenes tugged at the heartstrings of Hucknall nurse Charlotte Turner, who was determined to help.

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, she said: "Obviously, the heartbreak you can see on the telly (makes you want to help) but then I was feeling guilty that I was able to still go to work and that I still had a house to come back to, it just didn't seem right. All of that going off but yet our lives were unchanged. I felt guilty. I wanted to do something but I didn't really know how to do it."

Her next move was to message Damien O'Connor, owner of Damo's bar on Annesley Road as "he is quite proactive with stuff he's done for charities and organising different festivals and stuff and bringing people together."

Speaking exclusively to Hucknall Nub News, Mr O'Connor said: "Charlotte contacted me asking for advice as to where to start such a drive for donations, and with the devastation that's going on currently, it was something that needed acting on quickly. I have always been community led, and this is something I had to get involved with and help.

"Within an hour we had multiple businesses who were more than happy to assist with the logistical side and our destination for donations sourced.

"We're effectively 'piggy backing' off a donation drive set up in Loughborough by the local polish community who have an aid flight destined for Poland. Our contributions may be small in the grand scheme of things; however, I'm sure they will be highly appreciated by those who receive the items we send."

Ms Turner got in touch with Loughborough Polish Social Club who are accepting donations which they will then ship to Poland which borders Ukraine.

Ms Turner and Mr O'Connor are now asking for donations from the people of Hucknall by Saturday (5 March) and they will then be driven to Loughborough the next day.

The social club are specifically asking for donations of towels, blankets, thermal blankets, sleeping bags, bandages, plasters, first aid kits, nappies, women's hygiene items, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, clothing including underwear (new or almost new), batteries and torches.

Local businesses, big and small have flocked to help. The following places have volunteered to act as drop off points for donations: Damo's, The Red Lion Inn, Tesco Extra on Ashgate Road, Guilt Free Pleasures on Annesley Road, Short Stitch on Beardall Street and On Hand Training and Security.

People wanting to donate just need to choose one of these locations and drop their donations off in the company's designated area for donations.

Ms Turner added: "One thing that I keep on thinking about. You can't change the world but what you can do is try and change the world for those people. They've had their lives turned upside down and there's nothing we can do to put things back to normal but what we can do is kind of make their reality now a lot easier to be able to support them through it."

For more information, visit Damo's Facebook page here.