Local schools combine efforts to help children and families of Ukraine

INTRODUCTION

Since the war in Ukraine started on February 24, the people of Mullingar and Westmeath, like much of the rest of the world have come together to support the people of Ukraine in their time of need.

Only a few weeks ago, the people of Ukraine were living normal lives like us in Ireland. One of the saddest impacts of the war, is seeing children suffering; even going to school in Ukraine is not now possible for most Ukrainian children in the country of their birth with many if not most children in Ukraine having to flee to their country with their mothers and grandparents as their fathers and older brothers stay behind to defend their country heroically.

Thankfully, Europe and the world, and not least Ireland have come together to welcome the people of Ukraine having to leave.

With children in mind, local schools in Westmeath have made a massive effort to support Ukraine through their fundraising efforts.

Three local schools who raised thousands of euro for Ukraine include Wilson’s Hospital School and St Cremin’s National School in Multyfarnham and Presentation Junior National School in Mullingar.

St Cremin’s have link to Ukraine via third class pupil

The principal of St Cremin’s National School in Multyfarnham, Karl Dermody, said: “Nataliya Slomyanovska (Glennon) is originally from Ukraine and her daughter Emily is a pupil in third class at St Cremin’s NS.

“Our staff and pupils wanted to help the people of Ukraine, so on Friday March 11, the pupils dressed up in superhero costumes and their parents contributed to a fundraiser to help Nataliya’s family in Ukraine, as well as the wider population of Ukraine who are living through very tough times.

“Our school community raised €1061.52 to help provide medical supplies to people in Ukraine, which through the local initiative of Whelehans Pharmacy, Smullen Couriers and many more is being used to buy supplies which were due to leave Mullingar with Smullens on Saturday April 2.”

‘Weeks ago, they were living ordinary lives, just like us’

Wilson’s Fourth year student and aspiring journalist, Juliet Hunter explains the fundraising effort at Wilson’s: Two weeks ago, they were just like us. Ordinary people, who did ordinary things, who led ordinary lives; until they weren’t. Ukraine; a country, a people, a home, a victim of war. Nobody deserves this. The people of Ukraine are starving, thirsty and suffering, all whilst we have the means to help them, and it isn’t right.

How can we help? That was the question which sparked the idea behind the Wilson’s Hospital School effort, a week spent raising funds to send in aid of people affected directly by the situation unfolding in Ukraine. At the forefront was the student council, who hosted an entire non-uniform week, a bake sale, a raffle, and a face painting workshop.

The staff were treated to a plant sale by the TY students. Parents and members of the local community also answered the students call for generous donations.

From March 8 to March 11, the whole Wilson’s school community rallied together and the amount raised was €5,125. It was a team effort and everyone at Wilson’s is proud of all they achieved in the week.

Our motto here is Res non Verba (action not words) and all the work demonstrated how we can all do something to help.

The student council, having consulted with the wider student body and listened to advice from the international aid agencies and Ukrainian families within the Wilson’s Hospital School community, learned of the dire need for medical assistance in Ukraine and border regions of neighbouring countries.

Whelehans Pharmacy have long been suppliers of the matron department at Wilson’s, so the students contacted the owner, Eamonn Brady, to see if they could give their collection to the local appeal going directly to Ukraine.

Eamonn organised that all the monies raised in Wilson’s school will be spent directly on medical supplies at cost price. Further to that, Whelehans are committing another 25% of supplies to the fund, which means a further €1281.50 will be added to the total.

Eamonn then introduced the Wilson’s group to Colm Smullen of Smullen Couriers, who visited the school to explain to the staff and students how the aid would reach its destination of Tuchów, Poland, and then be sent to the hospitals and humanitarian drop-off points in Ukraine.

“So, we thank you both! We are looking forward to seeing our aid begin its journey mere days from now and urge you to do your bit for Ukraine, to share in our vision of no more Ukrainian suffering.”

Annual Seachtain Na Gaeilge fundraising at Presentation Junior used for Ukraine aid

Principal of Presentation Junior National School Mullingar, Natasha Miskell, said: “Every year to coincide with Seachtain Na Gaeilge, our school raise fund for charity, and this year, we decided the funds will go to help the people of Ukraine. All the pupils, from junior infants to second class, participated in a colouring competition and raised €500, which is going to the local humanitarian supply run to Ukraine.

“We are so proud to be part of this local collective effort to help the people of Ukraine. With Ukrainian families coming to Mullingar soon, Presentation Junior will be one of the many local schools that will welcome Ukrainian children with open arms to allow them continue their education while they are in Ireland.”

Smullen Couriers handle logistics

Colm Smullen of Smullen Couriers, one of the business people helping the local aid effort, said that he and his brother left with a large van load of supplies, worth over €100,000, donated by the people of Westmeath for Poland on Tuesday March 8 and arrived in Tuchów, Poland two days later.

“We were met by hundreds of Polish and Ukrainian people, who then sent our supplies to the health and humanitarian aid system within Ukraine, where they are vitally needed.

Such was the level of support from local people and businesses, we leave again this Saturday April 2 with an even larger load, this time with more medical aid.”

Read a full interview with Colm here.

Whelehans just one of many businesses involved

Eamonn Brady of Whelehans Pharmacies said that his is just one of many pharmacies, businesses and people in Mullingar and Westmeath contributing medical and first aid supplies to Ukraine for transport with Smullen Couriers.

“I was blown away by the response of the people and businesses locally,” said Eamonn. “I got involved in the aid effort when Ukrainian lady and Mullingar resident Natilya Glennon asked me how she could help and that’s when I got in touch with Colm Smullen, who had already started the ball rolling.

“ So far, the Whelehans fundraising appeal is at more than €15,000, which Whelehans are using to purchase medical supplies using the list of requirements that members of the Ukrainian community have told us are needed on the frontline in Ukraine.

“These are being transported to Poland by Smullens; some were delivered in early March and the rest next week. Whelehans specialise in medical supplies to nursing homes and health settings all over Ireland, so we were able to use our buying power to purchase these medical supplies at cost price and many suppliers and ourselves at Whelehans added significantly to the amount donated, meaning that the over €15,000 was able to equate to the purchase of over €30,000 worth of medical supplies. “The contribution of local schools like Wilson’s, St Cremin’s and Presentation Junior made up a large percentage of the funds raised, and I would like to thank the pupils, parents and teachers involved.”

If people want to contribute to this cause, speak to the staff at Whelehans Pharmacies or Smullen Couriers for information on how to contribute to the next aid run to Ukraine. Check the Whelehans Pharmacy and Smullen Couriers Facebook pages for more info and updates.