Flintshire pub staff to embark on Poland mission for refugees

Communities throughout North Wales have shown great compassion for the people of Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country first began.

Hundreds of thousands of bags of items have been collected across the region and are currently being sent over to refugees looking to cross over the border into Poland to avoid the conflict.

Staff at the White Lion in Buckley have decided to go one step further - by actually delivering the items to the country themselves.

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Explaining why they decided to do so, White Lion's Gary Joy said: "We were sitting in the pub one day watching the news and some of the staff were nearly in tears at what we were watching.

"You're looking at the screen going 'it's minus four out there in Poland and we're sat here with the central heating on. That was when we decided it is time to do something about it."

As a result, Gary - along with Kevin Smith and Paul Burton - will embark on a journey via a van to Poland next week. Gary said the final date was to be confirmed due to the hiring of the van.

Gary, who is known for being resident DJ at the pub, added: "We have received one hundred sacks full of donations from the local community. These are full of things like nappies, toiletries, clothing and so much more.

"We cannot thank people enough for donating towards the cause.

"One of our customers, James Byron, has family in Poland and has offered us to stop over on route to refresh the team and feed and water us."

Read more: Watch the heart-warming moment ice cream man surprises Wrexham volunteers collecting donations for Ukraine

Meanwhile, the White Lion's female members of staff are set to sleep under the stars and camp in the pub's beer garden to help raise money for Ukrainian refugees.

The pub itself is based on Mold Road, Buckley, and its staff are still accepting donations before they set off on a mission for Poland sometime next week.