A BUSINESSMAN has purchased the former Ena Shaw building – and has gifted it to be used for collections to help those affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

Stephen Palfrey, of PalfreyGreer, has recently bought the former Ena Shaw building.

He has offered use of the building, at the bottom of North Road, for the Stand With Ukraine St Helens project, which as the the Star reported last week, is taking donations to be transported to the Ukrainian border with Poland.

Organisers, including No Duff UK, have established the former Ena Shaw site as the prime location base for their collections and distribution to help those in need.

Stephen Palfrey said: “I was approached by the SPF (Steve Prescott Foundation) last week to see if I could help in any way and I was delighted to get involved and help out when I can, we do have plans for the old Ena Shaws building but in this time of urgent need it was the least we could do to help Stand With Ukraine St Helens. 

“It is what St Helens people do best, in times of crisis they come together to help those less fortunate”

St Helens Star: Volunteers with some of the donated itemsVolunteers with some of the donated items

Michael Birak, from Ukraine, who works for a tech firm in St Helens involved in the project, added: “We just want to help, and we want to do all we can.

“The help is important to us and I’d like to say a big thank you. It is very hard to watch the situation and doing nothing is impossible.

“It’s just awful and it’s not the experience we should have in the 21st century.

“We want to say a big thank you to those who are willing to help us with humanitarian aid. We appreciate all the help, it is going to save the lives of somebody.”

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Alan Jones, a volunteer, who has been appointed operations manager said “ We are elated to announce our base at Ena Shaw will be open on Tuesday (March 15) from 10am.

“We have come a long way in the last week! We have had great support but need a lot more.

“The Ena Shaw base is perfect and has ample parking on Volunteer Street, we are now collecting in Clothing plus humanitarian items like medicines, toiletries, bandages, tinned food.

“We also need a whole army of volunteers, if anyone can spare a few hours, please text the Steve Prescott Foundation at 07971792859 and you will be added to the Volunteers Whats App Group.

“Free food has been given to volunteers of the project Courtesy of St Helens College.

If you are an organisation, school, company please collect on behalf of our appeal and we will be able to collect”.

  • People can also donate to partners in the project at GPW Recruitment, North Road; Seven Stars, Millbrook Lane, Eccleston; No Duff / Wonderland, Reflection Court Canal; Derbyshire Hill Family Centre, Derbyshire Hill Road, Tunza Centre and the Eccleston Arms, Prescot Road. The hashtag #swush is being used for the project. Visit Stand with Ukraine St Helens #swush for updates and more about the cause.