To not understand why people are driving to Poland?

[Tgbiyr]

Genuinely interested in whether I’m missing something.

I have a friend on Facebook who’s driving part of a convoy of goods for Ukrainian refugees from the UK to Poland. Toiletries, clothes etc. He asked people to donate goods, and now he’s asking people to donate towards fuel costs.

I cannot understand why anyone is doing this. Would it not be better to donate to the Polish charities supporting the refugees than transport lorries full of goods thousands of miles? Or ask for donations of goods to support refugees who come to Britain? What am I missing?

AIBU to think that driving lorries from the UK to Poland isn’t helpful, and the money would be better spent being directly donated to organisations in Poland?

Completely agree OP - it’s performative virtue-signalling. On my Instagram there’s a couple of (extremely well off) British women raising funds so they can go and cook food for refugees in Poland through a charity. As though there’s no one in Poland capable of cooking food!

And yeah, the difference compared to the response to non-white refugees or those living in war zones in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan etc is astounding. Basically the news is showing white people, often with blonde hair and blue eyes, suffering immensely, and certain segments of the Uk population are losing their shit over it.

Most of the people on this thread are insufferable 🙈

Churches, schools and community groups in Poland are distributing and Pish communities in the UK are taking supplies to their families and friends who are supporting refugees in their own homes. The shops for mot have enough stock to support existing citizens as well as refugees.
Additionally charities actually have paid staff so 100% of donations do not reach the desired communities.

If people don't want to donate to these collections they don't have to but knowing communities personally who are sending over supoes, these items are needed and welcomed.

@DimebagDarrell

Completely agree OP - it’s performative virtue-signalling. On my Instagram there’s a couple of (extremely well off) British women raising funds so they can go and cook food for refugees in Poland through a charity. As though there’s no one in Poland capable of cooking food!

And yeah, the difference compared to the response to non-white refugees or those living in war zones in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan etc is astounding. Basically the news is showing white people, often with blonde hair and blue eyes, suffering immensely, and certain segments of the Uk population are losing their shit over it.

Actually, Muslim, Sikh and Hindhu groups did the same thing for Afghanistan but they did it without self glorification. People support people based on their own bias, but people were being helped. I don't see any planes landing in Ukraine to get people out.

Yanbu. It’s weird.

The Polish government is doing nothing. It's the people of Poland helping themselves and out of their own pockets. Please don't confuse the two! Donate to charities in Poland if you wish, they will make good use of it. Borders are overcrowded, Ukrainian people are coming with literal clothes on their back and nothing else. Any help is appreciated and most of us want to contribute in some shape or form.

YANBU when you are discussing aid from the UK. With transport costs and the items needed (bullet proof vests etc) money would be more helpful. But it is human nature for people to want to help those in need and that is not a bad thing.
In a different position as living in Germany. Very well organized here. For example, our council and church together collected a huge amount of stuff which was then driven to a central collection point for onward transport. We were supplied with very detailed lists of what was needed plus requests for donations towards fuel although a few companies had donated the use of their vehicles and drivers.
Also a lot of smaller private trips being made but obviously over a much shorter distance Refugees are being brought back on the return trips. Further collections ongoing to supply them with the basics on arrival. As with the Syrian refugees, they are being spread across the country to spread the load on individual communities. So far about 190,000 have arrived in the country although as EU citizens, they do not need visas etc so real number may be higher.

@Mollymoostoo

Churches, schools and community groups in Poland are distributing and Pish communities in the UK are taking supplies to their families and friends who are supporting refugees in their own homes. The shops for mot have enough stock to support existing citizens as well as refugees. Additionally charities actually have paid staff so 100% of donations do not reach the desired communities. If people don't want to donate to these collections they don't have to but knowing communities personally who are sending over supoes, these items are needed and welcomed.

Of course items are needed and welcomed. But buy them in Poland!

Yes! Im with you here

What on earth is going through their minds? Wont they just be a nuisance?

@BiscuitLover3678

Looks like I’m the only one here but I thought Poland was absolutely rammed with refugees? As long as the uk people with the trucks are giving it out themselves eg when they see people walking or waiting at boarders, then it shouldn’t be an issue. It’s only an issue if they get there and dump it or expect someone else to deal with it.

Oh my! "Hold on, stop the van ... there are some refugees walking at the side of the road. Quick, give them a few tins, a toothbrush and a nappy pack... " Yes, that would work. In the meantime, find a stove, a tin opener, saucepan and some wet wipes if there are any in amongst the boxes on board.

@Hutchy16

Most of the people on this thread are insufferable 🙈

Agree!

@Mollymoostoo

Churches, schools and community groups in Poland are distributing and Pish communities in the UK are taking supplies to their families and friends who are supporting refugees in their own homes. The shops for mot have enough stock to support existing citizens as well as refugees. Additionally charities actually have paid staff so 100% of donations do not reach the desired communities. If people don't want to donate to these collections they don't have to but knowing communities personally who are sending over supoes, these items are needed and welcomed.

This. I’ve had personal experience of donations not reaching where they’re meant to. Most of my close family are in Thailand and were badly affected by the tsunami. Millions of pounds was donated to help people through multiple charities, but none of the local people who had lost everything benefited at all from it. They’d have been far better off with shipments of actual food and clothing and medical supplies than money thrown at charities

Glad people see right through virtue signaling nowadays

Sarah Fergusan has rolled up her sleeves and gone to Poland to help out!
She has mentioned it!

In my small home town and surrounding villages, there have been two such treks so far and another planned for this weekend. People are asking what's needed then driving donations to a hub where they're sorted and vans loaded. A worthy cause. Not everyone is coming to Britain and there may be difficulty in getting some goods into Polish shops, hence making lists of what the Red Cross and charities say is needed.

Wow, so many negative, horrible comments on here.. Some people have worked really hard at collection points and the drivers themselves..this isnd for kudos, it's a genuine need that they want to help in a practical way rather than just sitting back and sending some money over. Some people can't afford to 'just donate'.
If you have items that are no longer required, such as clothes that your children have grown out of, surely it's better to donate rather than it going to landfill.
Such sanctimonious comments. Painful to read .

People aren't actually sending dried food and medical supplies though are they?
They are sending the dusty old crap from their spare room.

@NeedSomeHeadspace

🙄

I don’t care … as long as people are getting their items … I couldn’t care if a performing monkey took them … imagine being in a country where your lives are at stake .. freezing cold weather with your babies and elderly and sick relatives and nothing … absolutely nothing or no one to help .. no food no warmth no nappies no hygiene items no clean water … sorry but for me that’s totally unreasonable.. these poor people need help from every angle and it’s nice for them to know people care

No @Pinklemonade1 it's better to sell them and then donate the money. And any driver that can afford the ferry fare and petrol money , could donate £££

@ISpyCobraKai

People aren't actually sending dried food and medical supplies though are they? They are sending the dusty old crap from their spare room.

We must know different people then. My local school has organised 6 lorries with clothes in ‘as new’ condition, dried/tinned food, toiletries and baby supplies and good quality books and toys. Why are you sending ‘dusty old crap’ from your spare room?

@Pinklemonade1

Wow, so many negative, horrible comments on here.. Some people have worked really hard at collection points and the drivers themselves..this isnd for kudos, it's a genuine need that they want to help in a practical way rather than just sitting back and sending some money over. Some people can't afford to 'just donate'. If you have items that are no longer required, such as clothes that your children have grown out of, surely it's better to donate rather than it going to landfill. Such sanctimonious comments. Painful to read .

Then donate them to a charity shop in the U.K, obviously.

Being cynical, sometimes money is used for other purposes.

I’m not meaning to be rude, but the average woman in the UK is a size 16. I can’t imagine the average woman in Ukraine is that big. They must have been donated lots of clothes that are far too big for the intended recipients
🤣🤣
I take it you have never been to Ukraine!
Theres all shapes and sizes there! Certainly in the cities theres a coffee and fast food culture going on. There's Loads of McDonald's and other burger and milk shake places around. The population isnt that skinny!
The Ukraine's arent all tall and slim like Nataliya Gotsiy!🤣
There's plenty that look like me ( 5ft5 andsize 16 on a good day!)

It's awful. People sending loads of crap that will need to be stored somewhere. Why not just send money to reputable charities.