MEMBERS of the Caversham are driving to the Ukrainian border to deliver donations.
The Caversham, home of Reading Golf Club, has been working with Queen Anne’s School to collect donations of items.
Items such as toiletries, toothpaste and brushes, sanitary items, nappies, blankets, and small toys are being collected to support Ukrainians.A group of members called The Sopranos will be driving to the Ukrainian border on Friday, April 1, to bring the supplies to displaced Ukrainians as they leave the country.
Those who can’t make the trip have made financial donations to support the transport of items, and the group has also secured extra funding for fuel.
The trip was put together by Daniel Boyes, both a member of the club and an teacher at Queen Anne’s.
He will also be one of the members making the journey to the border, where they have contacted locals who will help them with distribution.
Gary Stangoe, the general manager of the Caversham, said that members’ responses to the appeal have been: “Staggering.
“Not only in terms of physical donations, but the financial donations to fund the drive have been an outstanding effort.”
The donations from members have meant that those travelling have flexibility in both expense and travel time.
Road travel to Ukraine takes nearly 24 hours each way, with delays likely.
Mr Stangoe said: “The additional help from our members, and even some non-members, means that the journey can be made, even if there are delays.
“Any funds left over will go to other charities.”
He said that this was just the latest cause that the club had supported.
“Over the last 20 years or so, our members have raised and donated hundreds of thousands to charities.
He said of Mr Boyes: “Daniel and the Sopranos are such a great bunch, and they’re always willing to go the extra mile.”
The group will be packing donations into vans and begin the journey to the border on Friday, April 1.