Car boots filled with donations are flooding in in support of Hope4’s campaign to collect as many winter coats and warm clothes as possible for children in great need in the Ukraine and Moldova.

Partnering in support of Hope4’s Winter Coats Campaign, family business Oakland International and Attwell Farm Park in Beoley, Redditch, are collecting the donations with Oakland International offering the transport needed to take all donated items to its partner depot in Chisinau, Moldova, from where they will be distributed to those in urgent need in Moldova and the Ukraine.

Oakland International have set up several collection points around the UK and have a direct supply route to the Hope4 depot so can guarantee all donations will get to those who need them.

Hope4 Trustee Laura Croudace explained: “Hope4 serves the poorest families in Moldova, many full-time working couples earning just £74 a month, and life is exceptionally tough for widows with children and orphans.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Attwell Farm Park and Oakland International to ensure that we provide as many winter coats as possible as the temperatures drop across Moldova.”

Please donate any unwanted good quality used winter coats, warm clothing, hats, scarves, and gloves, which can all be dropped off at Attwell Farm Park in Beoley, Redditch, and new items can be ordered online and sent direct to Oakland International at the following address: Winter Coat Campaign, Oakland International, Seafield Lane, Beoley, Redditch, B98 9DB.

People can also donate via their fundraising page to enable them to buy children’s coats: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/coats4christmas

As we approach the holiday period donations will continue to be collected up to and including Sunday 31st December, except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Supported by private donors who cover all operating costs Hope4 provides immediate and urgent support to Ukrainian refugees and very poor families in Moldova and the Ukraine, and works to change the impact of poverty, crime and conflict for so many people here in the UK, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania

Laura added: “Every coat donated will mean that we are able to keep an extra child or adult warm as we go into the coldest months in Moldova. You can also donate by visiting our fundraising page: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/coats4christmas as this will allow us to buy snowsuits and winter coats for children which we don’t have sizes for. Thank you!”

Children at Beoley First School in Redditch enjoyed their Christmas Fayre thanks to total supply chain solutions provider and family business Oakland International who once again kindly sponsored the school’s Christmas Carousel.

Headteacher of Beoley First School, Ben Irving, said: “Our Christmas Fayre is such an important event for us as it brings our community together in such a meaningful way. In recent years the carousel has become a firm favourite, adding to the festive atmosphere. We are enormously grateful to Oakland International for their generous sponsorship and continued support.”

Oakland International is celebrating its 25^th anniversary based in Beoley and has formed many strong community links, and through its children’s charity, Oakland Foundation, supports a range of educational and community initiatives around the local area and further afield.

Oakland International Executive Assistant Jane Thompson commented: “It was wonderful to be invited to share in all the Christmas fun with the children, staff, and parents.

“We were delighted to offer our support as Christmas is such a wonderful time for giving, and as a local family business maintaining our commitment to our local community is important to us.

 “Thank you, Beoley First School, for inviting us to join you in your celebrations.”