A donation box is now available in the reception area of Killarney Garda Station for items that individuals may wish to donate to support the Ukraine refugees.
Sgt Dermot O’Connell said local gardai are happy provide assistance with the collection of donations that the public wish to make.
It is part of the Kerry for Ukraine initiative spearheaded by local photographer Konrad Paprocki and a number of others.
A number of sports clubs are also lending their support to the appeal.
Killarney Celtic FC will accept donations at the dressing rooms in club grounds before Saturday next while Killarney Lakers St Paul’s Basketball Club will also have a drop-off point for donations for any of the items listed at their local derby with Killarney Cougars at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre this weekend where a capacity attendance is anticipated.
MEK Galaxy FC, meanwhile, is to donate 100 per cent of the weekly €3 training fees received from all age groups this week to the Ukraine appeal launched by UNICEF Ireland.
Efforts are being made in Killarney to provide whatever assistance is possible to men, women and children in Ukraine whose lives are at immediate risk from invading Russian troops.
A collection of practical goods has organised in Killarney and donations are being encouraged in order to provide help to those at risk.
An appeal has gone out to people to consider donating blankets, sleeping bags, camping mats, towels, toiletries, nappies, dried and tinned rice, pasta, meat, vegetables and baby food.
The collected products will go to Warsaw from where organisations will distribute the donations to places near the border of Ukraine, where help is most needed. Transport from Ireland is already organised with the first of the donations to be sent out on Tuesday.
The collection is being spearheaded by local photographer Konrad Paprocki, a native of Poland who has been living in Kerry for a number of years and is a very well established weddings and sports photographer.
Over 100,000 people from Ukraine have already crossed the border to Poland where families are providing them with shelter in their own homes.
The main drop-off point for the donated goods in Killarney will be the Methodist Church, at the Countess Road-East Avenue junction next Saturday from 12 noon to 5.00pm.
Donations can also be dropped off all this week at the Killarney Movement Academy, 49 New Street, Mroz Polish shop at Unit 3 Park Place, off High Street and the Pewex Polish shop at Central Point, Park Road.
Contact numbers for those involved are Killarney (Iza on 087-9509654), Kenmare (Konrad on 087-2650106) and Tralee (Ola on 085-1007257).
Meanwhile, in a related effort to provide help, people from the Ukraine living in Killarney, who might be in need of assistance as they prepare to welcome their loved ones who come here, have been asked to make themselves known.
Alan Oliver of Lír Café said with visas to come to Ireland being fast-tracked by the government, many people escaping from the Ukraine will flee with just the clothes on their backs or with a small suitcase.
“Their families here will obviously need help when they arrive and I’m sure there will be no shortage of people willing to donate items they might need like food, blankets and toiletries,” he said.
Anybody in Killarney from the Ukraine, who might be in need of assistance, can email their details to Alan at info@lircafe.com or contact KillarneyToday.com at news@killarneytoday.com and we will pass on the information to those than can help.
It’s the talk of the town: Killarney’s most popular and relevant source for breaking news. To advertise call 087-2229761 or email news@killarneytoday.com
