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1 Mar
Two dog friendly coffee shops in east Belfast are filling lorries with critical donations for refugees in Ukraine, one for the people, the other for their pets.
Gusberts on Belmont Rd is co-ordinating a collection for animals and Smokey Deli on Grand Parade is taking in donations for families and Ukrainian volunteers fighting invading Putin forces.
Together the donations will be transported to Poland by a Carrickfergus lorry driver to a family camp and a temporary check-in camp for pets run by a Romanian animal rescue group.
Monika Rawson from Smokey Deli said is originally from Poland and she has family living just 40KM from the border with Ukraine.
She said: "I have cried for a week watching this situation unfold and it frightens me. But I decided I had to take positive action to help. The bravery of the Ukraine people is inspirational and I knew I had to do something positive.
"So at my cafe and flower shop I'm taking in donations which will be packed in a lorry and taken to Poland. The Polish community here in Northern Ireland are working hard to help our friends and neighbours in Ukraine. we will continue to help for as long as possible.
"I was happy then to get a phone call from our friends at Gusberts which is another dog friendly cafe, and they offered to collect donations for the pets who have been forced to flee with their families.
"We have lorries going to Poland every week - this is something we can do to help. we feel we must do something and this is practical and it shows our support from everyone here in Northern Ireland who wishes to donate."
Emily Finney from Gusberts said: “When we saw that Monika Rawson from Smokey Deli was collecting for men, women and children, we approached her and asked if we could add animal donations to the transport and she kindly agreed.
“Anyone who wants to send donations for pets can get them to us either at Gusberts or at a drop off point arranged by PlayforStrays around the country.
“So we started the collection today and we have had many promises of pet food, clothes and bedding which will be essential for the families who have fled their homes with their pets.
“The pet donations are going to Romanian animal sanctuary Casa tui Patrocle, which has set up a temporary camp in Poland and from there they’ll distribute our donations at the point of need.
“We feel quite helpless looking on from Northern Ireland but co-ordinating donations will make a difference and we’re so happy to know our customers at Gusberts are responding to our call for help, and hopefully lots of DogsLive and Belfast Live readers will too.
“We have also set up a paypal account for anyone who wants to donate for the fuel costs at PayPal geooda@gmail.com.
Casa lui Patrocle - Animal Rescue is a non-governmental and non-profit organisation founded in 2016, advocating for the protection and rights of animals in Romania.
David Foster from Northern Ireland pet charity PlayforStrays has already raised more than £2,000 for the crisis after stepping in to help the Ukraine refugee effort by the cafes.
He has set up collection points across Northern Ireland businesses where pet donations for the Gusbert drive can be dropped off and is also collecting cash donations through PayPal.
David said: “There’s a knock on effect amongst people who care. I think almost everyone wants to help in some way. Monika from Smokey Deli inspired Emily at Gusberts, and when I saw what Gusberts were doing I felt I could help too.
"All of us at PlayforStrays have been watching the horrors unfold in the past week in Ukraine and we have been feeling utterly helpless and didn't know how to help.
"Watching people and their pet companions cross borders, fleeing for their lives is unfathomable. The guys at Gusberts have secured lorry space to bring human and pet supplies to these refugees, 20 miles from the border of Ukraine in Poland.
"Once there, a Romanian animal rescue charity, Casa lui Patrocle - Animal Rescue, that is working in both Romania and Poland, will take charge of distributing it to the right people and animals.
"Let's fill these lorries to the top and hopefully together we can unite to make a small difference. I’ve set up a funding page and contacted businesses across Northern Ireland who are willing to have donations dropped off for me to collect and delivery to Gusberts.
"If any cash donations are made on this specific appeal, we will spend every penny of it on items to go in these lorries.
“I’ll add to the list as more businesses come on board. So check the list of goods needed and if you can help, we’ll do our best to make it as straight forward as possible.”
The first Lorry will is booked to Northern Ireland on leave on Sunday, March 6, and the second on Sunday, march 13.
Click here for Northern Ireland's drop-off map
Tins of cat and dog food
Bags of dry cat and dog food
Coats and jumpers, all sizes (it’s very cold)
Leads, collars and harnesses
Blankets and soft bedding
Treats (non perishable)- canned dog food
Collars and leads
If you wish to donate to Monika Rawson's drive, she is is collecting the following which can be left at Smokey Deli, 3 Grand Parade, Belfast.
NRC foils or emergency blankets
Painkillers for children and adults, and for colds
Anti allergy drugs
First aid kits
Hydrogel and occlusive dressings
Sterile gauze and gauze, regular and elastic bandages
Hydrogen dioxide
Calcium with vitamin D.
Vitamin B6
Preparations against head lice
Disinfecting wipes
Anti-diarrhoea meds and electrolyte replacement sachets
Disposable gloves
Incontinence pants/pads for adults
Portable beds
Thermometers
Blankets and sleeping bags
Torches
Paraffin and wax candles
Thermos flasks
Tablets and water purification filters
Alloy heaters
Power banks
Batteries
Portable cookers
Canned food, canned vegetables
Tea
Sugar
Biscuits
Pasta
Grains, rice
Chocolate and sweets
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Wet wipes
Towels
Shaving accessories and cosmetics
Shampoos, soaps, gels
Hand and face creams
Lip salves
Socks
Caps
Panties (new please)
Camouflage shirts
Balaclavas
Raincoats
The donation drop off map, to find your local drop-off donation point click here.