Colm Smullen (second from left) of Smullen Couriers getting ready to leave for Poland with over €100,000 of supplies for Ukraine – with Eamonn Brady of Whelehans Pharmacy (third from Left) and members of the local Ukrainian community.

Hundreds of locals support Ukraine humanitarian efforts

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Hundreds of local people and businesses in Mullingar and Westmeath have come together making donations for humanitarian supplies for Ukraine.

Colm Smullen of Smullen Couriers, one of the business people driving local aid effort, said: “I was watching the war unfold on TV, and I felt I needed to do something to help, and we got the ball rolling in organising a large van load of humanitarian supplies to Poland.

“So many local businesses and local people contributed tonnes of goods, including the likes of Trend, TEG, Clarke’s bar and too many more to mention.

“Many of the pharmacies in Mullingar contributed medical and first aid supplies that we are transporting over. We had help from a team of local volunteers, including members of the local Ukrainian and Polish communities, in gathering and loading up the supplies."

Back row – members of the Ukrainian Community of Westmeath and Longford showing their appreciation for the fundraising effort by CY Fit with Colm Smullen (second from left) of Smullen Couriers, who is driving a van to Poland this week; front row, Ruth Clarke and Laura Daly-Devine of CyFit Mullingar, who organised two sponsored spinning classes on Sunday and raised more than €2000 for medical supplies for Ukraine.

“We leave with a large vanload of supplies for Poland this Tuesday, March 8, and will arrive in Poland on Thursday, and the supplies will then be sent straight to the health system within Ukraine, where they are vitally needed.”

Eamonn Brady of Whelehans Pharmacies supported the efforts. He said: “Whelehans is just one of many pharmacies in Mullingar contributing medical and first aid supplies to Ukraine and much of the supplies are being transported with Smullen Couriers this week.

“I was blown away by the response of the people and businesses in Mullingar and Westmeath. I got involved in the aid effort when Ukrainian lady and Mullingar resident Natalie Glennon asked me how I can help. Within five days, we had donations of thousands of euro, which purchased first aid and medical supplies on a non-profit basis to send to Ukraine."

Eamonn Brady, Deirdre Fitzgerald and Laura Fitzpatrick of Whelehans Pharmacy with a van load of Medical and Supplies being transported to Poland this week by Smullen Couriers.

“Whelehans set up an option on our website for people to donate to buy medical supplies for Ukraine. The first load of medical supplies goes with Smullens this week and we will be sending more in the coming weeks as local people continue to contribute.”

Natalie Glennon (née Slomyanovska) is a nurse from Ukraine and has been living in Ballinalack for more than 20 years. Nalalie said: “My family remain in Ukraine and while they are currently safe, but I am worried for their safety. Russian propaganda is hiding the true extent of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

“When the Russian invasion began, I felt helpless and didn’t know what to do to help people in my homeland. I have never been involved in fundraising before, but with the help of some friends, I approached some businesses, including Eamonn Brady from Whelehans Pharmacy, and some of the other pharmacies in Mullingar, who donated medical supplies to go with Smullen Couriers to Ukraine.

“Thank the generosity of the Irish people and their support to the people of Mullingar and beyond.”

One of the many Mullingar businesses people to raise funds is Ruth Clarke of CyFit Fitness Studio in Lough Sheever Business Park, who organised sponsored spinning classes on Sunday March 6 and raised more than €2000 for medical supplies to Ukraine.

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