County Derry councillor thanks Borough's volunteers helping Ukraine

A County Derry councillor has heaped praise on the people of the area for their response to the humanitarian crisis emanating from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Cllr Adrian McQuillan was speaking during a discussion on an item brought to Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Leisure and Development Committee by Cllr Cara McShane.

Cllr McShane had called on Council to discuss how the district could become an 'area of sanctuary' for and offer support to those caught in the Russian war on Ukraine.

The item brought an impassioned response from the Bann councillor, who said he had been heartened by the efforts being made by those in the Borough.

“We should be passing on our thanks for all the people who have taken stuff out to Ukraine and Poland,” said the DUP representative.

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“We saw last week on social media lorries and vans leaving. I know people who took a van out this week to Poland, and they were doing this at the expense of their own pocket.

“They hired a van, local community groups filled it and they got it out there and sent pictures back today of them landing in Poland.

“Thanks has to go to those people right across this Borough, because if we had it all in one place, it would fill a brave few sheds, I would think.

“I've been contacted today by three or four different people who had registered for the government scheme to offer rooms to refugees to come and stay here.

“I think the people of this Borough have a great heart, and that offer will go out. We need to be encouraging those people and saying thanks to them.”

Cllr McQuillan also spoke about the plight of people in Ukraine and said all communities were united in support.

“The biggest thing we can't forget about is the people of Ukraine, who are being left with the towns and cities wrecked; their homes are wrecked,” he said.

“My heart goes out to those people who are going through it today. One thing it's doing is pulling the whole community together in the one direction as well.

“It doesn't matter who you are, you feel sorry for the people out there and want to do what you can to help,” he added.

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