A local primary school is appealing to the community for help after children at the school decided to take action to help children in the Ukraine.

Children at Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane, in Outwood, are getting involved with the Ukrainian Shoebox Appeal and the school is to be a dropoff point. 

The decision has been made by the School Parliament who have spoken of their sadness at the situation in the troubled country.

Erin, the Ofsted-rated Outstanding primary school’s Prime Minister, said:

“We are appealing to members of our community to help us take action to help children in the Ukraine. We have decided amongst ourselves that we want to try and help by collecting items which we could send over to the Ukrainian children to help them.”

The school’s Deputy Prime Minister, Naomi, added:

“It is really, really sad to see the people leaving their homes and being left either with no home or having to live in bunkers. We know that people take clothing and supplies over to Ukraine for the children and we wanted to do our bit to help them and to show them that they are not on their own.”

The appeal is being led by local businesses, Katie’s Crafts and Jane’s Hair Skin Within, with shoeboxes needed for children of all age groups as well as special maternity boxes to help soon to be and new mums.

Essential items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, first aid kids, toiletries, gloves, underwear and socks are being urgently appealed for, as well as pens, notebooks and toys.

The final date to donate your shoeboxes to the school is Monday 28th March, after which all donated items will be transported to those that need them in Ukraine.

Alec Bower, Assistant Principal at the Ledger-Lane based primary school, said:

“Like everyone who has seen the footage of events unfolding in Ukraine, the children are upset at what is happening.

“The children involved with the School Parliament have decided amongst themselves that they want to try and help and to collect shoeboxes which they could send over to the Ukrainian children.”