Ukraine Supplies Help Needed

A message from Jamie Whittaker:

“Hello, Jen Savaris and I are flying out to Poland on the 8th of March to bring selected items from the refugee appeal list to Medyka bordering Ukraine where over 50,000 refugees are arriving every day. We are self-funding the trip and limited with what we can bring as we are flying over, we want to give directly to those in need and see what other assistance we can offer whilst there to the amazing volunteering groups already out there and build a relationship with the organisations so we can share that with the people in the UK who want to further support them.

We have an allowance of 160kg to fly out with and the items we need the most to take with us are:

  • Sanitary pads
  • Toothpaste and toothbrushes
  • Miniature First aid kits
  • Bandages
  • Sudocrem
  • Gloves
  • Warm Hats
  • Packaged soaps

We also have a fundraising page if anyone would like to financially support our efforts whilst out there, after emptying the luggage on Day 1 we will then go and refill a further 160kg each day we are there by purchasing things needed such as food, baby goods and anything else the charities request. Where we can, we are going to try and pass some of the stuff on to those still in the Ukraine and especially those being denied entry into the bordering countries.

The fundraising page is available HERE

BACS bank transfer: Jennifer Savaris, Sort Code: 09-01-28, Account number: 64195110

All donations will be made transparent, and we will be keeping all receipts as proof of where donations are going. If you can support our efforts, we would be extremely grateful. Thank you so much. Jamie & Jen (The Gherkin & Perry’s Pantry Foodbank).

Please drop off at The Gherkin. Let staff know it’s for Ukraine not the kindness kabinet.”

The MEN also has an article about Jen and Jamie’s trip HERE

What are the new Lockdown rules?

We are now in another lockdown introduced by the government to attempt to reduce Covid19 infection rates. This is particularly in response to the rapid spread of the new variant of the virus which is much easier to catch. The Health Secretary and Prime Minister have both stated that the virus is currently out of control. These rules became law on Monday 4 January and have subsequently been ratified on Wednesday 6 January in a retrospective debate and vote in Parliament.

You can read the full government guidance HERE.

Summary: what you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

You should follow this guidance immediately. The law will be updated to reflect these new rules.

Leaving home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
  • attend education or childcare – for those eligible

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early years settings remain open.

Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local – unless it is necessary to go further, for example to go to work. Stay local means stay in the village, town, or part of the city where you live.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work

Meeting others

You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

You cannot meet other people you do not live with, or have not formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.

GM Law Centre Covid19 Guide

Greater Manchester Law Centre has developed a guide to support residents and support organisations to assist people through the current health emergency.

This guide will be updated regularly as the situation develops. This guide is correct to 3rd April 2020. A downloadable version of the guide is available here

Whils

Prime Minister’s Statement To The Nation

In an address to the nation tonight the Prime Minister has introduced emergency controls and restrictions on people’s movements.

That’s it. We’re in lockdown.

  • All non essential shops will close.
  • Police will enforce restrictions including dispersing gatherings.
  • Only essential travel to / from work allowed.
  • No meetings with more than two people in public.
  • Only essential shopping and medical visits allowed.
  • One form of exercise daily only.

These measures will last for three weeks in the first instance.

The message is stay at home to save lives.

  • View the Prime Minister’s speech HERE
  • Read the full transcript the Prime Minister’s speech HERE
  • Read the full guidance HERE
  • A more detailed list of businesses that must close and those businesses and services that can remain open is available HERE