The Past 6 Weeks at Phloor LTD
When the invasion of Ukraine began on the 24th February 2022 the entire world was shocked. Like many others, we felt helpless and thought there must be something we can do. And so, a phone call was made to Bart from Zabex Polska.
We were told that around Ireland there were collections of aid for Ukraine but the volume was so high that there was a difficulty in sorting, palletizing and loading it onto containers. As a distribution company with space in our warehouse we saw a clear role that we could facilitate logistical support. Our aim was simple – collect aid from all across Ireland, sort it, palletize it and send it to the front line in Ukraine where it would save lives. We initially thought we would collect enough to fill a truck-if we were lucky.
We could never have predicted the massive response shown by members of the public. We were completely overwhelmed with the large quantities of donations- so far we have sent seven trailers of aid to Ukraine through a network of like-minded groups. As our donations increased, our aid team expanded so that we had the suitable skills, knowledge and experience to help us succeed along with teams of volunteers who offered their help and assistance with sorting, itemizing and packing the aid to be sent over.
Within our first 6 weeks we have:
- Renovated our warehouse to contain a sorting facility for donations
- Liaised with Medical Help Ukraine to send urgently requested medical supplies.
- Sent over four vans of essential medical items.
- Sent seven 40 ft containers of aid over to Poland and into Ukraine with the help of Aid from Ireland, Hendricks Transport, Virginia Transport, BM transport and Zabex Polska.
- Collected over 200 pallets of public donations.
- Liaised with organisations on the ground in Poland and in the Ukraine providing humanitarian aid to take donations of non-medical items.
- Visited Przemyśl and decided we need to continue this work
Two weeks ago, three of our managers visited our partner site in Przemyśl, Poland. A huge thanks to Tommy Byrne from Aid from Ireland showing us the vital work that is being done on the ground over there and the incredible work of the logistics coming in and out of Ukraine.
We are in awe of the teams over there and we feel so privileged to have met them. We saw the need for this aid to continue going into Ukraine due to the issues with supply chains within Ukraine and the lack of access to food and other necessary items.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible support shown by our staff and the public. Our faith in humanity has been restored as we have seen the passion, generosity and willingness to help from everyone in Ireland. It is clear that we have to continue this work for as long as we can and we hope that you join us in our journey.
Our heartfelt thanks,
The Phloor Team.
WE STAND WITH UKRAINE