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Original poster

'Aid' lorries going to Ukraine...

477 replies

Blurp · 02/03/2022 07:22

My Facebook timeline is suddenly full of requests from people who are filling lorries full of things to take to Ukraine - they're asking for donations of things like clothes, toiletries and food.

None of them seem to mention the name of a charity or any specifics - mostly it comes across as though some random bloke is just going to fill his lorry with stuff and drive it "to Ukraine".

At first I thought it was a great idea, but the more I read the more I'm questioning it. Not that I think the people doing it are dodgy or anything like that, more that I'm not sure how useful it would be.

Like, do they really need lorries turning up all over the place with random stuff inside? I've no doubt that much of the stuff would be useful, but how do they even start to sort through it and match it to people who need it? Where do they even go to drop it off - do they just pick a random road on the border and park there and give it out? I've seen a few people asking questions like this on the posts, but they tend to get ignored or shouted down.

As far as I'm aware, there are no issues with supply of goods to countries bordering Ukraine, so isn't it better to donate money to organisations already on the ground so that they can bulk buy what they need?

Again, I'm not knocking the people who organise these lorries or the people who donate to them; I'm just wondering how useful it really is.

OP posts:
forcedfun · 03/03/2022 16:21

@Stressedout1009

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?
Because disposing of all the inappropriate and /or dirty stuff people "donate" is a huge problem.

It is a massive expense for charity shops.

Stressedout1009 · 03/03/2022 17:07

I Get this but are people really going out and buying brand new items to donate?

EvilPea · 03/03/2022 17:10

@Stressedout1009

I Get this but are people really going out and buying brand new items to donate?
I did.
Sirzy · 03/03/2022 17:13

@Stressedout1009

I Get this but are people really going out and buying brand new items to donate?
Everything I donated was brand new.

Second hand is fine for things like blankets IF people bother to wash them before sending them. But too many will sadly just see it as a way to clear out the crap

Leftbutcameback · 03/03/2022 17:49

Pleased to see the Polish Government have made a statement - people are much more likely to listen now.

CailleachGranda · 03/03/2022 17:52

@Stressedout1009

I just saw another of these pop up on my local fb. I'm questioning why they are only accepting new items. Why would you only accept new blankets, towels, clothes?
I sorted through donations for Syria a few years ago

We had to throw a lot of stuff out because not only were they minging, they were making everything else stink

liveforsummer · 03/03/2022 18:11

I know some specific refugee charities who are doing so too. It's a well established zero one who will have contacts on the ground in Poland. So there must be some demand as they have a specific list of what's needed

BluePooToo · 03/03/2022 18:18

We have a car for sale on eBay, nothing expensive it’s an old Audi A4 estate. Will probably sell for less than £1000. Had a long message today from someone who has collected ‘Aid’ for Ukraine but lacks a suitable vehicle to transport it to the boarder. So can we donate the vehicle to him as he has spent all his money on items to take with him. I replied saying that we need the money we get from selling the car otherwise we wouldn’t be selling it and that the car wouldn’t carry much ‘aid’ to make any difference as we struggle to fit 2 suitcases in the boot. Then received a nasty message back saying he hopes we can live with ourselves when we receive the large sum of cash for the car when others are desperate…

VanGoghsDog · 03/03/2022 18:56

@Stressedout1009

I Get this but are people really going out and buying brand new items to donate?
Just donate money.
RozHuntleysStump · 03/03/2022 19:19

God this is so embarrassing. Are people that hard of thinking that they think it’s a good idea to send lots of vans/lorries across the continent full of random stuff? To Poland?! That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money.

I can’t believe the madness. People really are thick as mince.

FoxyFoxyLoxy · 03/03/2022 19:28

@RozHuntleysStump

God this is so embarrassing. Are people that hard of thinking that they think it’s a good idea to send lots of vans/lorries across the continent full of random stuff? To Poland?! That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money.

I can’t believe the madness. People really are thick as mince.

They are.

We have had lots of posts on our local Facebook page - does anyone know any charities collecting for Ukraine? Despite most people recommending DEC, Red Cross, Oxfam etc, or even the well-established Refuweegee charity already operating in Glasgow, they would rather offload their stuff on Kevin with a van, but no plan.

As Bob Geldof famously said, just give your fucking money.

labyrinthlaziness · 03/03/2022 19:42

@RozHuntleysStump

God this is so embarrassing. Are people that hard of thinking that they think it’s a good idea to send lots of vans/lorries across the continent full of random stuff? To Poland?! That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money.

I can’t believe the madness. People really are thick as mince.

Stop mincing your words Grin

I don't agree that it is 'thick' and am more minded to view it like @forinborin described upthread but you did make me laugh.

EvilPea · 03/03/2022 19:45

@RozHuntleysStump

God this is so embarrassing. Are people that hard of thinking that they think it’s a good idea to send lots of vans/lorries across the continent full of random stuff? To Poland?! That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money.

I can’t believe the madness. People really are thick as mince.

Or maybe there’s a need for both. Stuff immediately and cash moving forward
coldfeetmama · 03/03/2022 19:47

@RozHuntleysStump

God this is so embarrassing. Are people that hard of thinking that they think it’s a good idea to send lots of vans/lorries across the continent full of random stuff? To Poland?! That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money.

I can’t believe the madness. People really are thick as mince.

This is so bloody rude

Most people just want to do what they can
That might be £100 for some
Or a pile of clean warm blankets for another

busyeatingbiscuits · 03/03/2022 19:48

They have more than enough stuff in Poland now though and are asking people to please not send anymore.

FoamyBanana · 03/03/2022 19:51

Someone in my town has just posted to say that doctors at the border are desperate for soft toys to comfort the babies. Cue hundreds of teddies being offered and donated. I just don't think this is useful or practical, I think people are just desperate to feel they have helped and get caught up in the drama.

Donate money through the DEC or Red Cross and let them spend it in the right way. We are just creating more things for people to do and sort and deal with, at a time when they are ill equipped to do so.

LacasadeBernadaAlba · 03/03/2022 19:53

Same with people trying to collect insulin to post. How's that going to work then

The type 1 community has been collecting all sorts of equipment along with hypo supplies to try and support type 1s in Ukraine. It has been organised and there is a call for donations to be able to effectively purchase and transport insulin. There were reports of problems almost immediately and a lack of insulin and food basically means death for type 1s. You can appreciate that the need is acute and those of us who understand the condition want to ensure as many unnecessary deaths as possible.

That is just all about the giver and not the actual people in need. Just send money

Not everyone is able to afford to donate. It doesn’t stop them wanting to make a contribution. There’s scope for everyone, surely?

RozHuntleysStump · 03/03/2022 19:54

But @coldfeetmama. That’s about what the giver wants and not what is practical and actually needed. No doubt there are other countries all over Europe with their own halfwits sending ‘warm blankets and coats’. I can just imagine that dealing with all that shite is more difficult than sorting out the refugees! Send money or send nothing. Don’t make it worse.

busyeatingbiscuits · 03/03/2022 19:56

There’s scope for everyone, surely?
Not if it actively causes problems instead of helping though, surely?

The Polish government is literally asking people not to send lorry loads of stuff, are we really saying "but it makes people in Britain feel good so we're going to send it anyway"?

coldfeetmama · 03/03/2022 20:01

@RozHuntleysStump I responded to a local charity run by a Ukrainian/ Polish couple who asked for sleeping bags , wash bags and childrens books

I gave exactly that , does that make me a half wit ?

Then I'm happy to be a half wit

Did I clean out my cupboards and shove all my grotty unwanted crap in the hope of getting rid of it in back bags across to the Ukraine , no I did not

RozHuntleysStump · 03/03/2022 20:03

What difference does who’s asking for the stuff make? It’s still the same problem at the other end. They are probably desperate to do something to help and I understand that completely. Unfortunately, what they are doing is not helpful; regardless of their nationality.

EvilPea · 03/03/2022 20:25

@RozHuntleysStump

What difference does who’s asking for the stuff make? It’s still the same problem at the other end. They are probably desperate to do something to help and I understand that completely. Unfortunately, what they are doing is not helpful; regardless of their nationality.
Maybe they are filling a need that there was

Presumably for now they don’t need stuff going in to next week. But it was needed this week. Now things are more in place, it’s money that’s needed

meditrina · 03/03/2022 20:47

What difference does who’s asking for the stuff make?

Huge difference - if it's an organisation which has a local partner which in turn has the necessary logistics to receive, store and distribute goods and for you are collecting only items specifically requested, then of course that's fine.

But collecting because 'they must need XYZ' with only general idea of where it'll be going really isn't a such good idea.

SuburbanCrofter · 03/03/2022 20:51

Stuff immediately and cash moving forward

The thing is, it won't be immediately. There are many border crossings and customs points to get through between here and Poland. Factor in that every city in Europe has multiple collections and people planning to travel, and there will be delays for days at the borders whilst people try to get through. I wouldn't be surprised if stuff gets dumped and people turn back.
Also, everyone is saying that the people organising these connections 'have contacts in Poland/the Ukraine etc.', well unless that contact happens to be the Head of the Ukranian Red Cross, I don't think it's going to help much.
It's amazing that everyone wants to help, but, as others have said, this is not about how we want to feel, it's about what's most useful. The Red Cross and DEC member agencies have been doing this for decades, they are experienced, and many even have pre-arranged agreements with airports, freight forwarders etc, as well as key equipment stockpiled in strategic locations. It will 100% be delivered (more cost effectively) before the people with vans and lorries get there from the UK.

Nomoreusernames1244 · 03/03/2022 20:58

Stuff immediately and cash moving forward

The local hubs near me are still collecting. Nothing will be getting to Poland this week, or next.