The East Cowes community recently celebrated the opening of MAD-Aid at their new premises at 11 York Avenue. Attendees included the Mayor of East Cowes Tracy Reardon and Isle of Wight Conservative MP, Bob Seely.
MAD-Aid, founded in 2012, is an aid charity that has been sending much needed items such as medical equipment and wheelchairs to countries like Moldova and Ukraine for a decade.
Experts in acting quickly
When the war in Ukraine began, MAD-Aid’s expertise of sending aid across Europe meant they could act quickly to send help where it was most needed.
It was then that East Cowes Town Council stepped in and gained temporary permission from the Isle of Wight Council for MAD-Aid to use 11 York Avenue, a former post office and library, as a sorting centre.
Pop-up outreach centre
In April, the first Ukrainian refugees arrived on the Isle of Wight. MAD-Aid was able to extend its outreach, opening a pop-up centre at 11 York Avenue, where people who had arrived with nothing could collect clothes and basic personal items.
Something more long term needed
Having set up shop on a temporary basis in 11 York Avenue, it became clear from the overwhelming support of local people who wanted to make a difference – MAD-Aid having collected items from 29 collection points around the Island – that something more long term needed to be put in place.
Reardon: East Cowes is returning to the vibrant town centre that I remember as a child
Mayor of East Cowes Tracy Reardon said,
“I am so pleased that this lovely building is being bought back into use and I’m sure it will be an asset for the whole community as well as the charity.
“East Cowes is returning to the vibrant town centre that I remember as a child and the community spirit here is as strong as ever.
“Good luck MAD-Aid in all that you do.”
A variety of community-based activities and services
As it settles into its new home, the charity is set to offer a variety of community-based activities and services, including a space for coffee mornings and a warm place for the winter; a clothes bank for Ukrainian refugees and others in the local community who need help; a community room that can be used for training, meetings, and small-scale performances.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
Image: L-R: Tracy Reardon (ECTC Mayor) MP Bob Seely, Victoria Dunford (Founder MAD-Aid), Claire Elderfield (Project Manager) and Chris Ashman, Director for Regeneration, IWC
