Transmec branches join forces to deliver aid for Ukraine

Eager to support those affected by the war, residents in the Rotherham area of South Yorkshire approached local councillor Adam Tinsley who immediately reached out to Transmec.

“We responded straightaway. The original request was for a van, but we wanted to do more and so offered to provide an artic,” explained Sam Hardy, operations manager at Transmec’s Bradford branch.

“To ensure things ran smoothly from the outset, we also started to liaise with Transmec’s depot in Poland.”

The promise of an artic kickstarted the collection campaign and Rotherham responded with scores of donations from residents, businesses, and community organisations from across the borough.

 Twenty-one pallets of aid were collected and taken by Transmec in early April to the Red Cross distribution facility in Poland for onward delivery to refugee centres and into Ukraine to those in greatest need.

The consignment included around 30,000 nappies, 1,500 shower gels, 500 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste, and 1,500 food tins.

“The response has been truly overwhelming. We collected more than we ever imagined and we’re so grateful to Transmec for their generous support and to everyone who made it possible,” said Cllr Tinsley.

“It took us approximately three weeks from having the offer of transport from Transmec and no donations to filling the lorry.

“Transmec were fantastic throughout. They ensured we had the right documentation to get through the ports and, as we couldn’t speak Polish, the depot in Poland helped us arrange the delivery to the Red Cross.”

Fast aid - (l-r) Sam Hardy from Transmec Bradford, Cllr Lewis Mills, Alexander Stafford MP, Cllr Simon Ball, Cllr Adam Tinsley.