IN PICTURES: Laois secondary and primary schools send aid to Ukraine
A Laois secondary school and small rural primary school have sent a huge care package to Ukraine, with students, parents and staff all working together.
Mountrath Community School had made the appeal for donations in aid of the people of Ukraine.
They made contact too with Paddock National School and principal Bernadette Fitzpatrick said they were delighted to help.
"The children are very much aware of the situation. We have a little girl here who's grandad lives in Ukraine, it makes it all so real.
"We had a fantastic response, the children were brilliant. We sent essential items and then a local business donated hats and snoods," Ms Fitzpatrick said.
Their combined efforts were collected last Wednesday by Hyland Transport, Rosenallis who are now in transit to the Polish border with Ukraine to help thousands of war displaced women and children.
School Chaplain, Anne Moore organized the event in Mountrath Community School and praised everyone in her school and in Paddock NS.
"It was very much a team effort in Mountrath Community School, with Art teachers creating a display to heighten awareness, Pope John Paul II and other senior students assisting with advertising the collection and packing all items received, caretakers and cleaners supplying a copious amount of boxes and so many responding to the crisis," she said.