A FACTORY in Launceston is proud to mark its on-going support for the people of Ukraine with the donation of more than 4,000 boxes since the war began. 

In partnership with Cornwall and Devon Sending Love to Ukraine, DS Smith’s Launceston site has donated 4,242 boxes to aid the transportation of essential supplies to those affected by the crisis.

These boxes have been crucial in delivering food, baby and sanitary products, personal hygiene items, sleeping bags, wheelchairs, and medical supplies to people in need. On average, a van-load of donated aid has been sent to Ukraine every four days by the organisation since the conflict began. 

The initiative was driven by two DS Smith employees; supply chain manager, Adam Porter, and customer services manager, Rachel Williams. After taking a brief to understand the needs of the organisation, DS Smith designed boxes to the right specification, ensuring the boxes would withstand the transit journey to Ukraine while keeping all contents intact.

The boxes were manufactured in full at the Launceston site before being collected and packed by the charity. 

DS Smith's involvement in this initiative is an example of the community-driven work that thousands of DS Smith employees participate in across the world, which forms part of the company’s sustainability strategy ‘Now & Next’.  

As the situation in Ukraine persists, the need for continued support is clear. DS Smith and Sending Love to Ukraine are dedicated to maintaining their efforts to assist Ukrainian communities. This initiative is a testament to the power of collective action and the difference that businesses can make in global humanitarian efforts. 

In response, Ukrainian orphans who benefitted from the packages sent back handmade decorations as a gesture of gratitude. These decorations were proudly displayed in DS Smith’s Launceston site over the festive period.  

Andrew Cudmore, general manager at DS Smith Launceston, expressed his thoughts on the initiative: "It's been an incredibly rewarding experience working with Sending Love to Ukraine on this initiative, and it’s been a real joy to see colleagues in our factory step up to help with such energy and passion. To be rewarded with the handmade decorations from the Ukrainian children was so unexpected, and a great reminder that even small gestures can have a positive impact.”  

Darren Tait, head of Cornwall & Devon Sending Love to Ukraine added: “We’re hugely grateful for the help DS Smith has given us. Without having boxes, we could not have sent 168 vans full of aid over to Ukraine over the past two years. With their continued support we hope to send even more.”  

DS Smith’s Charitable Foundation also supported the relief effort in Ukraine via a donation to the International Red Cross 2022.