Donatable collaborated a huge effort with Qualkem Ltd to drive emergency donations for Ukrainian families - boosted by the help of St Thomas More Catholic High School in Crewe.

Cheshire based social enterprise Donatable joined forces last week (Feb 28th to 4th March) with its member Qualkem Ltd to co-ordinate an emergency drop off point in Macon Way, Crewe for urgent supplies to be sent to Ukrainian refugees.

Donatable brings businesses and local community groups together to respond to a community need.

The social enterprise urged its members and the community to get involved and support Qualkem's appeal in Crewe which is being driven over to Poland to support Ukrainian families fleeing the war invasion.

Co-Founder of Donatable Gareth Williams stated: "We have been incredibly humbled and overwhelmed with the generosity from the local community.

"From businesses donating vans, drivers and facilities to the general public dropping off bags of much needed clothes and supplies – everyone has gone the extra mile to show the Ukrainian people that we are thinking of them and want to help.

"We were delighted by a surprise visit from school children at St Thomas More Catholic High School who not only brought donations, but also stayed to help create a human daisy chain to load the donation boxes into the waiting vans.

"Our team of Donatable volunteers and Qualkem staff worked from early in the morning of Friday 4th March, sorting through and boxing hundreds of items from nappies to warm blankets, dog food, toiletries, toys, clothes and shoes that had been donated throughout the week.

"ITV Granada Reports even came to view the efforts of the community coming together for themselves. This included being featured live on the early evening news with reporter Ralph Blunsom interviewing myself and Managing Director at Qualkem, Ivan Anketell, before setting the last van load of donations on its way."

Ivan Anketell added: "We are one big family, and my immediate reaction when Gareth of Donatable contacted me, was how can we help. It's been overwhelming receiving so many wonderful donations and desperate essentials in such terribly sad circumstances. We've had people donating in tears, staff crying and although it's a very upsetting and scary time.

"During the week we have been blown away with the support and efforts of the local community. I would like to thank everyone involved, especially our fabulous team who managed a difficult week with sensitivity and professionalism."

A St Thomas More Teacher told Nub News: "As a school, we were alerted to the work of Donatable and Qualkem. Our pupils were very aware of the situation and we were supporting the pupils by explaining the situation in the Ukraine and the history between Russia and the Ukraine. In school, our prayers were for the people of the Ukraine.

"We knew we wanted to support the community work and in 24 hours, after one phone conversation with Qualkem and one little Facebook post, our chapel was full of children's clothes, nappies, sanitary products, food items, toys, first aid equipment, sleeping bags and blankets. We were overwhelmed by the love of our family community.

"This wouldn't fit in our minibus, so a friend of the school came with his van to transport the goods to Qualkem, alongside some pupils who wanted to volunteer their time to help. One pupil even wrote a message of support, in Ukranian to go with the aid.

"We send our love and prayers to all the people of the Ukraine and those who are now refugees."

The call now is for the community to make financial donations to support the safe transport of the items as it costs £1,000 to transport each lorry full of emergency supplies.

Crewe's new collection point located at 'We Display' off Weston Road, will be getting its first lot of items picked up on the morning of Friday 11 March.

You can donate to the emergency appeal here