McElhinney's Store staff raise €20,000 for Ukraine

Brave staff from McElhinney's Store in Ballybofey weathered the wind and rain last Saturday night-Sunday morning as they took part in a fundraising sleep out in aid of the people of warn-torn Ukraine.

The 22 hardy souls, 20 ladies and two men, camped at the shop front from 8pm on Saturday night. They were supported by locals who made donations and offered food. Arena 7 in Letterkenny and Conkers Restaurant, Ballybofey donated pizzas while Denis and Mary O'Connor, Ballybofey also supplied soup to keep the group warm.

This is the fourth sleep-out staff have taken part in. The other three were in aid of the NW Simon Community. The money from this latest venture will go to the Irish Red Cross which is working on the frontline of this latest crisis.

General manager at the store, Sandra Devenney, said they were delighted with the response they got from the public and companies who made generous donations.

"We're already over the €20,000 mark this morning (Monday) and donations are still welcome. People can go to our Facebook page and see the link if they want to contribute.

"Staff was very keen to do something so didn't mind the weather considering what the unfortunate people in Ukraine have had to endure."

McElhinney's Stores will keep their Ukrainian donation link open until the end of the month.