WATCH: 'There are no words to describe my sadness, my fear'

Originally from Ukraine, Natalie Glennon has lived in the Mullingar area for 18 years.

She has played a central role in the local collection of donations for her war torn homeland.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner at the Smullen Couriers depot on Tuesday evening before Colm and Trevor Smullen started their two day journey to Warsaw with medical supplies donated by local businesses and people, she said it has been hard to look at the atrocities being carried by Russia.

“There are no words to describe my sadness, my fear. Any normal person will understand and any normal person will related to the situation.

“I have sadness, but anger as well. There is no need for that [war]. It is a peaceful time. It should be that way.

“Children should be in school. They should be playing football, normal children things, but they are running away [from Ukraine] and some of them won't have parents,” she said.

Natalie's home region is in the central of Ukraine, which thankfully has not been targetted by Russia, yet. She asked her mother to come and stay with her, but she refused as she wants to stay with Natalie's brother, who like every Ukrainian man of fighting age has been banned from leaving the country until the end of the war.

“My family is okay. She won't come because she wants to support my brother. He has to stay. At the moment it is okay in my town and hopefully it will stay that way.

“...It is extremely difficult. It is very scary, because I don't know what is going to happen tomorrow. Every night it is difficult to sleep. During the day I am busy, I am working and I am trying to do a bit to help. Night times are very worrying and mornings are even more difficult because I don't know what news I will receive. It's hard,” she said.

The actions of the people of Westmeath have helped keep her spirit up at this exceptionally difficult time, she said.

“I am so, so thankful to the people of Mullingar and surrounding areas for your kind donations, for your phone calls, because sometimes it is so good to talk to someone. I appreciate all your help. Thank you.”