A MUSSELBURGH-BASED company has rallied round to support war-torn Ukraine with a “vast quantity” of cleaning and first aid supplies.

Paragon Products, a cleaning products supplier at Newhailes Industrial Estate, worked with UK Rail for Ukraine – an initiative set up by volunteers from the rail industry – to bring together humanitarian aid from across the country.

It is being led by a project team including Network Rail, Symposium Consulting, Deutsche Bahn, London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Avanti, MTR Elizabeth Line, and The Veterans Charity.

Hygiene chemicals, paper disposables, cleaning equipment, PPE and hygiene medical products were donated by Paragon and its supply chain partners.

Goods were collected from Paragon’s Musselburgh warehouse by Malcolm Logistics and delivered to an international intermodal site at Barking in east London, where they left the UK on a DB Cargo service bound for Ukraine.

Overall, the 500-metre train carried roughly 1,500 tonnes of aid material, including non-perishable food and hygiene and medical products.

These supplies were donated from a wide range of organisations following requests for aid from the Ukrainian authorities after the Russian invasion.

Paul Urquhart, managing director of Paragon Products, said that the company was “proud” to be involved in such an “important project”, adding that the rail industry had organised a delivery direct to the areas of greatest need in Ukraine.

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, said: “I am expressing my gratitude to the UK railway industry and everyone who contributed to the UK Rail for Ukraine initiative.

“We greatly appreciate your support during such challenging times.

“Despite the complexity of the logistic routes, the industry managed to organise a delivery directly to the places of greatest need in Ukraine.

“In addition to the humanitarian aid gathered by volunteers from different businesses and organisations, UK railway facilitated the delivery of 21 powerful industrial generators purchased by the Ukrainian embassy which are imperative for Ukraine’s energy sector.”

Andrea Rossi, chief executive officer of DB Cargo UK, said: “Across Europe, DB Cargo is already leading the way in delivering humanitarian aid by rail to the Ukraine, having recently developed the first rail bridge to the war-torn region.

“Here in the UK, we are pleased to be able to support the ongoing aid effort to deliver essential supplies to ease the suffering of the Ukrainian people impacted and displaced by the atrocities that are unfolding.”

Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, said: “The UK Rail for Ukraine initiative is playing a great role in delivering humanitarian aid from across the country.

“Our exceptional railway network has come together and is working hard to deliver vital supplies to support the inspirational Ukrainian people.

“The UK continues to stand with all those fleeing Putin’s barbaric invasion.”