Almost one year ago, Nuala O’Toole launched a a project to help foster good relations between young and old.

Since its inception last April, the Kindness Postbox has encouraged a different kind of conversation as it invited children to send post cards and letters to care home residents.

Amazing

The success has been amazing says Nuala, and more recently she has put the postbox to good use in collecting letters and messages of encouragement for the people of Ukraine who have been affected by the Russian invasion of their country.

Admitting that she only thought the postbox would last for two weeks, it now has delivered 8,440 letters to over 4,500 people, with a batch of those heading out to Ukraine last Thursday, March 24 as part of the first lorry from FM Metals heading east.

Nuala explained how they were asked to bring the postbox down to the Heart of Enniskillen Festival which took place in the big top tent at Enniskillen Castle and they decided the mail would be sent to children and families in Ukraine.

“We had the chairman and vice-chairman [of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council], PSNI Officers, stall holders and members of the public contribute their creations for those in need,” said Nuala.

“We collected over 350 letters alongside a hamper of items for the children such as story books etc.”

Local schools

Students from local schools also posted messages in the postbox.

Looking back at the support they received, Nuala was blown away by it all: “It was absolutely amazing. Absolutely amazing. The community just pulled together around it. I am still shell shocked about it.

“It was Michelle [Clarkson]who had come up with the idea that we should maybe bring it down to the castle because we were doing the fair down there and see if anybody would like to pop a wee bit of mail in for the kids and families in Ukraine.”

As well as the notes and messages of kindness and solidarity and the hamper, Nuala also put in a bit of information about Fermanagh so those reading the letters would know where they came from.

Messages to Ukraine

Nuala paid tribute to Michelle, for creating the templates for the messages going out to the war torn country as well as to her son ‘D’ and Wendy Kerr who also help out with the Kindness Postbox

“It was actually Michelle who created all of the templates for Ukraine and everything had to do with Ukraine.

“It was either the Ukrainian flag or a rainbow or things like ‘stay strong’ and ‘you’re not alone’ and she cut them all out and stuck them down so people could actually write a card.”

Joy

Nuala knows the joy these messages the Kindness Postbox can bring and she is hoping that when the mail arrives in Ukraine, those who receive it will get that same sense.

“I cannot explain to people what it is like when you are surrounded by colourful drawings and uplifting messages from children,” Nuala concluded.