Laois business man and local GAA clubs organise Ukrainian relief appeal

A Laois businessman and a number of local GAA clubs have come together to launch a Ukrainian relief appeal.

Ger Hyland of Hyland Transport has organised the venture in conjunction with Rosenallis, Clonaslee, Mountmellick, Ballyfin, Kilcavan, O’Moores Camogie and Sarsfields Ladies Football clubs plus Mountmellick Macra Na Feirme.

On Saturday March 19, between 10am and 4pm, they are asking people to bring donations to Hyland Transport in Rosenallis (R32 E264).

Items requested are: canned food, bottled water, energy bars, dried fruits, tea, coffee, sugar, toiletries, nappies (all sizes), baby formula, wipes, baby blankets, slings, sudocream, clothes, raincoats, torches, powerbanks, batteries, masks, disposable gloves, disposable plates and cuttlery, plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes and cream, bed linen, yoga mats, candles, sleeping bags, emergency foil blankets and first aid kits.

Ger will be arranging the transportation in conjunction with B&G International transport to Poland and Romania with some of his own drivers offering to go directly with the loads.

He is hoping to get at least two container loads and spoke about how he was inspired to help following the actions of Vadym Binko.

Mr Binko, who had been working in a TUS role at the Rosenallis GAA grounds, returned to his home country on Sunday following a call from Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenesky to those living overseas.

He said goodbye to his wife Maryna and their two children at Dublin Airport on Sunday evening before boarding a flight to the Polish city of Krakow.

From there they were travelling to the Ukrainian border where they were joining the civilian resistance to the Russian army.

Ger said: “I felt it necessary to help out seeing one of our local lads, Vadym Binko who worked with Rosenallis GAA Club, had to travel back to his home town to help defend his country.

“A lot of premises we deliver into on a daily basis have Eastern European workers and we have seen the effect this tragedy has on them including our own foreign national drivers.

“Our appeal is not directly for our local areas and anyone that wants to drop off goods on the day is more than welcome to do so.

“We are also very grateful to Mochua Print who have kindly donated all the flyers and posters.

“We at Hyland Transport empathise with all Ukrainian people at this time.”

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