Millbry Hill collects for the Ukraine Appeal ...

Our Buying Manager, Grace Robinson suggested we set up emergency donation collection points at our five stores and head office address. This was quickly actioned, and we began working with local charities and councils in order to ensure each donation reached Ukrainian people in urgent need. We truly didn't expect the overwhelming support the appeal would receive; the kindness and generosity of our local communities has been incredible.

With the appeal posted to our social media accounts, within hours members of the public were beginning to drop off donations. We also felt strongly that our appeal should include help for displaced and affected animals.

Overnight the post was seen and shared by over 1000 people, we began to sort the donations into categories so that they could be distributed to the correct charities.

We quickly realised that we would need space to work through the number of collections returning to head office from the stores each day. Our sister company Armstrong Richardson kindly leant us some storage and we worked hard to process the donations.

When going through all the packages, it was evident how selfless our local communities really are. The effort and expense a lot of people have put into this was really touching.

It took us countless hours to get the donations ready for our first lorry full. Another of our sister companies C&C Transport helped us to deliver to distribution centres across the North. Our Director Serena Harriman along with C&C Director Charlotte Jones helped to get through the pallets of donations, working into the night.

Finally, the first wagon was filled.

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We packed as many parcels into the wagon as we possibly could.

Our first full wagon headed to the distribution centre with a team of 5 on board to help unload and stack the boxes in preparation for their onward journey to Poland.

When we arrived at our destination, there was a team of kind volunteers ready to help unload, we were so thankful for the help we received.

We had received a large number of donations of clothing, that unfortunately our distribution centre was unable to process. We made enquiries and quickly found another outlet that was able to transport clothing.

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Over the course of the next 2 weeks we filled four smaller C&C Transport horse boxes with clothing donations.

In the coming days our head office neighbours, Mandale Homes, very kindly allowed us to use one of their new warehouse units. This allowed us even more space to organise and pack.

The next C&C wagon was filled a few short days after the first. Staff member’s friends and family also stepped in to help. On this occasion two C&C wagons were filled with donations.

To show our support for the people of Ukraine, we all came together as a group to celebrate another load of supplies leaving for the distribution centre.

Thank you to our sister companies AR Wholesale, AR Fuels, AR Entertainments, Millbry Hill Stud and most importantly C&C Transport for their part in helping us with this appeal. Here is the video:

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Throughout the last two weeks Millbry Hill staff, customers and local communities have donated, sorted, packed and transported over 70 pallets of items destined to help those who’s lives have been torn apart in Ukraine.

We would like to say a massive THANK YOU to every single person who has made any form of contribution to this cause, we are immensely proud of what our communities have already done to offer support in this time of need....

In the last few days we have re grouped our appeal in order to raise a massive £10000 to support three chosen charities in their continued efforts to help the people and animals of Ukraine. In order to do this we are hoping to raise £5000 in customer donations this will then be matched by Millbry Hill to give a total donation fund of £10000.

We have placed collection tins in all stores and have set up a donation function on our website. We are of course grateful of any donation large or small. Whilst our thoughts remain with the people of Ukraine in this time of crisis we will continue to focus our efforts on fund raising and update you on our progress. All funds will be donated to the below charities:

Please, kindly give what you can, even if its pennies. It all makes a difference.