KIND residents have been rushing to help people in Ukraine.

Donations have been flooding in at collection points set up across the county within the past few days.

The outpouring to help people affected by the Russian invasion has been incredible.

If you’d like to help, here’s an update on the situation in Dorset.

Is Castlepoint still accepting donations? 

This week donations have been collected at the empty Argos store at Castlepoint.

Due to the "overwhelming" amount of donations, the drop-off point has been closed until Friday, March 4.

We will keep you updated when the situation changes. 

A Castlepoint spokesperson said: "We are sorry for any inconvenience caused but we must use this time to sort through and package the existing donations."

 

However, volunteers are still welcome to help between 9am and 6pm.

Read more: Bournemouth residents protest Russian invasion

 

What items are still most needed?

  • first aid kits, bandages, painkillers
  • antiseptics
  • batteries
  • power banks
  • flashlights/ torches
  • binoculars
  • night vision devices
  • medical gloves

 

Where else can I donate to help people of Ukraine?

  • Lewis Dean Estate & Letting Agents - 4 Moorland Way, Poole, BH16 5JS - has asked for cardboard boxes, no clothes are needed.
  •  Ferndown Post Office is collecting donations and has asked for any volunteers with "reasonably sized" vehicles to assist in transporting goods to Castlepoint. No clothes are needed. 
  • Cherries Cafe - 65A Curzon Road, BH1 4PW - again, no clothes needed with people asked instead to provide the items listed above.
  • St John's CE Primary School - Coombe Avenue, Weymouth - a lorry will be leaving Dorset on March 4 with the following items requested; nappies, wipes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hair brushes, deodrants, soap, sanitary pads, instant baby milk, energy bars, new underwear for men, women and children, torches and batteries, instant dried foods, hand warmers and Thermos flasks. 
  • Christchurch Baptist Church - 9am to 12pm until March 7 - items sought include disposable rain coats, batteries, hand gel, instant food, flasks, disposable cutlery, plastic-covered pillows, torches, baby bottles, tooth brushes and baby food
  • Thrive Health and Welness - 102 Commercial Road, Bournemouth
  • Poole Quay Boat Haven Marina office will be accepting donations up until 5.30pm on Thursday, March 3. There's a list of what's needed below.

How can I donate money?

A JustGiving fundraiser was set up to raise £700 to help towards the cost of transporting deliveries to Ukranian refugees from Bournemouth to the east of Poland. It has already smashed its target with £1,990 raised.

You can donate to it here https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicole-riley?utm_term=GXZXvEYdm&fbclid=IwAR3JAguN4HU1EMxrMNbvvua-C_LTu41YlgY97avsj_PPhAqrK-3zd9EHrR4

If you are collecting donations and would like to appeal for help, you can get in touch at the link below.