Hedge End’s 2 ½ tons of aid on its way to Kosovo

In August shoppers at Hedge End’s Sainsbury’s generously donated 2  ½ tons of household and food items to Hope and Aid Direct’s collection to help the poorest and most vulnerable families in Kosovo – and today, Friday 8 October, the goods will start on their six day journey across Europe.

The charity’s Southampton team is sending two lorries which will join a convoy of 10 further lorries packed with 70 tons of humanitarian aid in total and which will be distributed personally by the drivers and two further charity representatives who will join them to families living in extreme poverty.

At the ‘Shop and Drop’ in August shoppers were asked to donate long-lasting food items such as pasta, baked beans and dried fruit, toiletries and household items including matches and candles, plus unwanted shoes in good condition.

Hedge End supported the charity with similar generosity last year and there were some emotional and heart-warming stories of the goods reaching Kosovo and the reaction of the families.

If you were unable to donate items during the summer but would like to support Hope and Aid Direct, visit their website – and if you’re a business or individual with 600 to 1,000 sq ft of secure dry storage to spare then the charity would love to hear from you too.

Local volunteers currently use a storage facility at Ordnance Survey in Maybush, Southampton, for sorting, packing and storing donated items before loading them up on to transport for the twice yearly convoys to the Balkans. But due to the redevelopment of the Ordnance Survey site this space will no longer be available after the end of October. 

If you have suitable premises and can help contact the charity’s main office 01277 350660 – or leave a message on Hedgeendpeople and we’ll pass it on.

Hope and Aid Direct was founded in 1999 and is a humanitarian aid charity whose team members raise their own funds, obtain donations of aid, transport that aid in convoys of lorries twice a year, and give it out directly into the hands of families living in poverty in Kosovo.