Lorry full of presents for Ukrainian refugees sets off from Evesham

More than 8,000 shoeboxes filled with toiletries, clothes and toys are on their way to western Romania.

The shoeboxes had been collected by Teams4u Evesham, part of the international children’s charity.

On Saturday, November 26, the first lorry set off from the charity’s warehouse on Davies Road, carrying 8,633 shoeboxes in total.

The lorry, driven by Nicu, will make its way to Romania where the load will be split, with half continuing up to the Ukrainian border where there are many Ukrainian refugees.

Teams4u Evesham has collected so many shoeboxes that they are planning to send a second lorry in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: Thousands of Christmas presents collected for Ukrainian children

L-R: Hannah, Kamil, Adas, Rob, Lucy, Heather and Miriam (Image: Teams4u)

In March, Teams4u sent over three lorry loads of aid following the outbreak of the conflict.

Trustee Paul Jeanes said at the time: “Although we cannot do anything to affect the political or military situation, we can make a difference to some of those affected.

“For me personally, and my wife Alison, we have been involved in the Teams4u Christmas Shoebox appeal for over 20 years and have travelled extensively to eastern Europe, including Ukraine.

“The reason we got involved and especially in this current crisis is to bring a bit of joy and happiness into the lives of those people we see on the TV each evening in the news who through no fault of their own have fled the country or become displaced.”

READ MORE: 15 tonnes of aid collected in Evesham for Ukrainian refugee camp - how you can help

Shoeboxes can still be donated, with further information available at www.teams4u.com.

Donations can be dropped off at the Davies Road warehouse from 10am to 2pm and 7pm to 9pm Monday to Friday or on Saturday from 10am to 2pm.