Heckmondwike Remembrance Day fundraiser sends supplies to Ukraine

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Volunteers and friends of The Salvation Army in Heckmondwike are remembering those who are still facing war this Remembrance Day by donating wash bags to hospitals in Ukraine.

The church and charity has been collecting toiletries to fill 100 bags which will form part of a convoy of donations taken to the country by the Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid organisation.

Heckmondwike Salvation Army regularly collects donations for Ukraine, having previously donated hundreds of pairs of pyjamas, underwear, duvets, baby formula and nappies to children living in orphanages.

The items will be blessed at their Remembrance Day Service on Sunday (8 November).

Janet Devine, Church Leader at Heckmondwike Salvation Army has been making the drawstring wash bags from shower curtains. She said: "These wash bags are for wounded soldiers in hospitals. We're trying to do what we can to help those who are suffering the consequences of this devastating conflict.

"We're aiming for a hundred bags each filled with a face cloth, bar of soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste with sanitary products for female officers.

"Our volunteers and visitors have been very generous. People have been donating items or money. One lady gave me £20 and said 'get what you need' so I went and bought twenty face cloths and a dozen tubes of toothpaste. We are well on track to have 100 washbags filled by Remembrance Day.

"We're also including a prayer card with the Lord's Prayer written in English on one side and Ukrainian on the other. This will remind them that we are thinking of and praying for them and for peace.

"At our service, we will be remembering the soldiers from past conflicts, and praying for those impacted by wars that are going on today. You hear of these airstrikes and children dying. It must be awful not knowing if you're going to see tomorrow.

"We're only a small corps (church), but with a big heart and we just want to do what we can by offering practical support, heart to God, hand to man."

After the items are blessed at the service, which will take place on Remembrance Sunday at 10.30am at the hall in Barracks Street, they will be dropped off at Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid, which was set up by St Andrew's Motor Company. They store the items and drive over a few times a year to deliver donations.

Heckmondwike Salvation Army continues to serve the community through Friday Friends Community Drop In which offers activities for parents and tots, help with form filling or CVs, or simply offers a warm space to have a cuppa and a listening ear.

Friday Friends takes place between 10am and 2pm each Friday. They also host bible study on a Wednesday, a coffee morning between 10am and 12pm on the second Saturday of the month and Sunday worship.

You can find more information and donate to their work here or search for them on Facebook.

For 160 years, The Salvation Army has been here in the hardest moments. We're here in Yorkshire with warmth, welcome and urgent practical support. Find your local Salvation Army here