Ukrainian refugees Laois give back by volunteering for Clean Up Laois Week

Ukrainian refugees living in Laois are so grateful to Laois Integration Network (LIN) for opening up a ‘Zero Cost Shop’ in Portlaoise town that they have volunteered to help during this week’s ‘Clean up Week’ in Laois.

Karen McHugh, Chairperson of Laois Integration Network said that she and all the LIN Committee were humbled when Ukrainian refugees who are coming into the shop for the past few weeks, asked if they could give back to the community of Laois’ 

This has resulted in Portlaoise Tidy Towns inviting Ukrainians to join them this evening, Wednesday, April 20 at 6 pm to help during ‘Laois Clean Up Week’.  The refugees will join Laois Integration Committee members and Portlaoise Tidy Town members at 6 pm at Lyster Square, Portlaoise (beside Allbooks Bookshop).  

Gerry Browne, Chairperson of Portlaoise Tidy Towns, said that they were delighted when contacted by Laois Integration Network about this offer. 

"We are always looking for volunteers and this is a lovely gesture from the Ukrainian refugees. We look forward to welcoming them to our Tidy Towns community," said Mr Browne. 

"We are absolutely humbled," said Karen McHugh, Chairperson of LIN. 

"It is astounding to think of these people coming from a war-torn country and they genuinely do just want to give back to the community.  Since the opening of our Zero Cost Shop at Bull Lane in Portlaoise, the committee have welcomed hundreds of Ukrainian refugees to the shop.  The refugees are able to take whatever they need during their difficult time and so many are now volunteering in the shop too.  

"We are so grateful to the donations given to date by the Laois Community, all of which has made such a difference already to the Ukrainian refugees," commented Ms McHugh. 

The zero-cost shop is located at the Old XtraVision shop on Bull Lane (right around the corner from Mulhall’s Supervalu) in Portlaoise town.   

It is estimated that to date 300 Ukraines have arrived in Laois, with some being housed by families, but most are in temporary accommodation including hotels in Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Durrow, Clonaslee, Mountmellick and other locations around the county   The zero-cost shop contains everything that will be needed including clothes, food, sanitary products, shoes and toys for children. 

Ms McHugh concluded by saying that if anyone has good quality bikes for children and/or adults, including helmets if possible, please drop them into the Zero Cost Shop during opening hours: Monday and Wednesdays from 4-6.00pm and on Saturdays from 12-4.00pm.  Alternatively, donations can be dropped in by appointment.  People can check out Laois Integration Network on their Facebook and Twitter pages. 

Donations can be made directly to Laois Integration Network Credit Union account.

Account Name: Laois Integration Network; IBAN: IE62POCO99211710968699  BIC:   POCOIE21

Laois Integration Network (LIN) is a community organisation in Laois that promotes cultural diversity and effective integration throughout the County of Laois. It was established in February 2016, initially under the auspices of Doras Syrian Resettlement Project and since June 2016 as a separate entity comprising of local voluntary and statutory organisations as well as individuals from Irish and migrant and diverse faith communities throughout Laois. 

After a two year break Spring Clean Up Week returns to Co. Laois.  National Spring Clean has been operated by An Taisce since 1999 in partnership with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and local authorities throughout the country.

Laois County Council and their sponsors Bord na Mona are asking local communities to spring into action and join the fight against litter.  Groups, communities, neighbours and friends have registered with the Environment Section to receive packs of bags, gloves and litter pickers and to tackle the issue of litter in their local areas. 

This initiative is Ireland’s biggest and longest running anti-litter campaign and makes a real impact on local environments. 

Clean Up Laois Week last took place in 2019 and that year the county saw 108 groups registered and in excess of 1,600 volunteers taking part.  

Each year this partnership approach to tackling the ongoing litter problem receives so much support from local residents, community groups, businesses and schools and is a testament to the community spirit that this initiative fosters.  Laois County Council acknowledges the great work done by all groups involved and would encourage the public to be extra vigilant in their own areas, by reporting any litter offences, unauthorised waste collectors, or fly tipping on the confidential freephone litter hotline 1800 32 32 30. 

Clean up Laois week rubbish will be collected by Bord na Mona from Monday 25th April to Friday 29th April 2022.