Two Barrhead Care Homes collected donations for Ukraine

Norwood and Millview, along with other care homes in Glasgow and Paisley which are also run by Advinia Healthcare Group, got involved after a Facebook plea was launched asking for essential items.

Thanks to the generosity of residents, relatives and staff who answered the plea, in just three days the firm managed to fill two very large van loads of supplies.

Paul, his son Kayden and father-in-law Alistair

The idea was the brainchild of the group’s customer relations manager Paul Lawson, his son Kayden, whose school allowed him the day off to help, and his father-in-law Alistair.

The trio drove around nine care homes in total in their bid to fill their vehicle to bursting point with items such as clothing, bedding, toiletries, food and medicines.

They then took them to Temple, in Glasgow, to be sorted and loaded onto lorries heading for Poland and other countries where people are seeking refuge.

Paul told the Barrhead News: “With all of the shocking images we are seeing on the news just now, we just wanted to do what we could to show our solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

“Lots of our residents, families and work colleagues wanted to help out so we started a Facebook appeal to collect items for the poor souls that are fleeing the country, the majority of whom are women and children.

“I thought I would just be filling my car with donations but it quickly became clear that we would need something much much bigger. Arnold Clark kindly donated a van hire.

“Thank you so much for the overwhelming support of our care homes - it was a privilege to be involved.”

Norwood Care Home's haul

One of those who did her bit was kind-hearted resident Maureen McInnes, 90, who donated some new clothing.

She said: “I just wish I could have done more to help. It’s terrible what’s going on and to see those poor wee children having to leave their homes is just heartbreaking.”

The efforts of all involved were praised by Advinia’s regional director Marek Tarnawski, who said the crisis was happening very close to home for some of his staff who are from Poland and other eastern European countries.

He added: “I’m extremely proud of the response of the Advinia family and would like to thank every single person who donated towards this appeal."