School uniforms, once destined for children in Sedbury, have travelled thousands of miles to Ukraine, thanks to the generosity of a former shopkeeper and the efforts of Rotary volunteers.

For 37 years Sheila Bollen ran her much-loved shop, ‘Sheila’s’, in Sedbury, serving generations of local families with school uniforms, wool and general household goods. A familiar face to generations of local families, Sheila eventually had to close the shop to care for her husband due to his ill health.

Over the years Wyedean changed its uniform several times, leaving Sheila with some 15 boxes of new, unused clothing, which she kept in storage.

Sheila’s daughter, Michelle, contacted Guy Wilson, President of Chepstow Rotary Club and the club’s Ukraine Liaison Officer, to help find a new home for the uniforms.

Guy contacted William Jackson, Rotary’s District Ukraine Lead, who arranged for the numerous boxes to be collected and transported to Ukraine.

The uniforms have now arrived safely with Rotary in Ukraine.

Originally, the school jumpers were intended for a school in Zaporizhzhia, but the school suffered severe bomb damage forcing pupils to continue their education at home.

The uniforms will still be distributed to those who can make good use of them.

Mr Wilson said: “This donation is another example of how local people and Rotary clubs can work together to provide practical assistance to communities affected by the war in Ukraine.

“What began as a collection of unused school uniforms stored away in a Sedbury shop has now become a valuable donation to families thousands of miles away.

“Through Sheila’s generosity, Michelle’s determination to find a worthwhile use for the clothing, and the efforts of Rotary volunteers in the UK and Ukraine, these school uniforms have been given a new purpose, helping children and families at a time when they need support most.”