CHADDERTON-based company Ultimate Products has arranged to take a lorry loaded with donations to Poland to help Ukrainian refugees.

The donations include toiletries, blankets, teddy bears, toys and warm clothes, and have been provided by Ukrainian Centre Manchester, as well as Ultimate Products and its employees.

In addition, Simon Showman, Ultimate Products’ chief executive, has raised more than £40,000 for Rabbi Tzvi Sperber, the founding Director of JRoots.

JRoots is a non-profit organisation based in the UK and Israel which, before the Ukraine crisis, ran educational journeys to Poland to teach people about the Holocaust.

Rabbi Sperber and his team have refocused JRoots’ work to aid Ukrainian refugees and those still trapped in the country.

Rabbi Sperber has been working to get women and children across the Ukrainian border and into Poland, while at the same time delivering food and medical equipment into Ukraine.

Mr Showman raised the funds in just 48 hours by appealing to friends and colleagues from across the North West business community.

Ultimate Products employees also wore blue and yellow last week in support of Ukraine.

Colleagues were asked to wear the colours of the Ukrainian flag and donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s (DEC) Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Simon Showman said: “Like so many others, we at Ultimate Products have been watching in horror as the events in Ukraine have unfolded.

"We are desperate to help in any way that we can and are pleased to be able to use our logistical capabilities and business contacts to provide much-needed equipment and funds to those in need.”