MAD-Aid’s Ukraine Hub in East Cowes is, until further notice, unable to receive any new donations of items for Ukraine.
There will be a further opportunity to make donations, but as of now, organisers say there needs to be a pause until the items already sent are delivered and the situation of needs is assessed.
Three trucks have departed from East Cowes for Moldova with all your donated items. On arrival they will be further sorted and distributed to those in need.
When donations restart
Cllr Karl Love, who has been involved with the humanitarian efforts in East Cowes, told News OnTheWight,
“Can I make an appeal to any centres, who are sorting and collecting items to bring to East Cowes in the future, to take note of the following.
“We have to comply with customs regulations in various countries therefore everything has to be sorted to a required standard.
“It helps us if items are packed as individual groups e.g.
“Paracetamol and aspirin have to be placed in separate boxes, please do mix theses items in with other medical items.
“All the donations are gratefully received and we are required to sort and label all grouped items. It also helps immensely if items are in clear bags, but not essential, as long as they are labeled.
“On behalf of Mad-Aid, we are so very grateful for all your donations, but please pause for the moment.”
Make a financial donation
Each shipment to Moldova costs around £3,500 to transport, so if residents would like to make a monetary donation, you can do so via MAD-Aid’s Website.
Background on MAD-Aid
MAD-Aid was founded in 2012 to collect unwanted medical equipment from St Mary’s hospital and transport it to poorly equipped hospitals in Moldova, where it has considerably improved the experience of in-patients. Re-using unwanted equipment from St Mary’s and other care facilities helps keep it out of landfill or expensive storage.
In its first ten years of operation, MAD-Aid has developed and supports a complex in Riscani, in Northern Moldova, comprising a day centre for disabled children, an early intervention centre for disabled children and their parents, a high-quality elder care home and most recently, a warm water hydrotherapy and swimming pool that provides a much-needed resource for the local community.
