We always knew Dorset was an incredible place, somewhere with unifying community spirit.

But this week has acted as a reminder of how kind and generous Dorset residents really are.

Every day, communities across the county have surpassed themselves, donating goods, money and their time for a nation torn apart by war.

How did it start?

Last Friday, organisers set-up a Facebook group - Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine.

Over the weekend, donations and word of mouth began to spread, sparking a tidal wave of donations from across Dorset. 

The group took to Facebook to request donations and have since received more than three warehouses full of items including baby goods, bedding and food.

Bournemouth Echo: Karol Swiacki and Daniel SulimierskiKarol Swiacki and Daniel Sulimierski

How did Castlepoint get involved?

When the Daily Echo visited three main collection points in Bournemouth, Ferndown and Poole on Monday, donations were already overflowing.

To the point, where Food Plus in Boscombe had to stop taking donations on Monday as the shop space was overflowing.

But help was on the way from Bournemouth's biggest shopping centre, with Castlepoint management giving the group the use of the old Argos warehouse and shop as a drop-off point and storage facility for all donations.

Speaking to the Daily Echo earlier this week, Karol Swiacki, organiser of Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine, said: “They will give us almost everything, boxes, trolleys - it’s just fantastic.

“They will also support our action with their 20,000 customers - that’s out of this world.”

Read more:

How did the week progress?

It didn't slow down at all.

In fact, more and more goods and more and more kept turning up - to sort, pack, help and donate time and services.

Here's a photo of the warehouse at Castlepoint on Tuesday, showing just a glimpse of the goods.

Bournemouth Echo: Castlepoint warehouse for UkraineCastlepoint warehouse for Ukraine

Appeals for pallets, wrapping and boxes and volunteers followed, with lorries leaving on Thursday, needing to be packed up.

And on Thursday, the Castlepoint drop-off was closed to donations to allow the teams a breather to sort all the existing goods.

What was happening elsewhere in Dorset?

While the largest centre was at Castlepoint, huge amounts of good were being collected across the county.

From Dorchester to Swanage, Poole, Christchurch and beyond, people came in their droves. Baby goods, medicines, sleeping equipment and much more was brought.

And as part of that, fundraising pages were set-up online to help fund transportation costs. And as goods really began to stack up, appeals were made for people to consider donating money through official channels as well.

What's needed now?

  • First aid supplies
  • Medicines
  • Torches
  • Batteries
  • Power banks
  • Sleeping bags
  • Tents
  • Binoculars

Other items needed:

  • Hygiene essentials
  • Instant food or items with a long shelf life
  • Waterproof jackets
  • Thermoses
  • Disposable cutlery

Is Castlepoint drop-off open this weekend?

Yes and no.

The donation point is open on Saturday from 10am until 3pm.

They are CLOSED on Sunday for donations but open for volunteers to come and help sort.

Where's the best place to get info from now on?

Dorset residents can keep up-to-date with information about the effort to help people in Ukraine on the Help from Bournemouth to Ukraine website.

There is also the following Facebook pages

What's happening this weekend?

The founders of Charities WOSP Bournemouth and Dorset Polish Centre are inviting people to Boscombe beach for 12noon tomorrow (Saturday), where they will link hands to show unity for Ukraine.

The event has been described as an opportunity for ‘symbolic gesture’ and will give Dorset residents a chance to show their support to the people of Ukraine.

Read more: How you can support Ukraine at a human chain and gathering this weekend

A peace demonstration due to take place on Sunday in Bournemouth at 12noon.

Organisers of the Sunday event have asked the community to gather in the Square to further show their unity.

The events taking place across the weekend have been described as a way of showing that Putin’s war crimes will not be accepted.