How Cambridgeshire residents can help the people of Ukraine
Here are some of the ways you can support organisations working in the UK and abroad to help the people of Ukraine following its invasion by Russia.
More than a million people are already known to have fled their homes to escape danger and many charities are working to help them as they seek refuge.
Financial donation
Issuing advice for Cambridge residents, the city council said a financial donation is the most effective way to help.
“There are good supply chains in eastern Europe, so it is more cost effective to send money to buy supplies locally instead of donating and transporting them from the UK,” it advised.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has praised the UK’s “astonishing show of support” for those affected by the war after raising £55million on the first day of its appeal.
The charity, which is made up of 15 leading aid agencies, urged the public to keep momentum for the cause going as it revealed that “hundreds of thousands” of people had contributed within hours of the appeal’s launch.
Among them was the Queen, who made a “generous donation” on Thursday, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, the DEC said.
The total figure includes £20 million donated by the government as part of its UK Aid Match initiative – the largest commitment ever made to a DEC appeal through the scheme.
You can donate to it at https://www.dec.org.uk/.
Also collecting donations to help are:
- British Red Cross
- International Committee of the Red Cross
- International Rescue Committee
- Save the Children
- SOS Children’s Villages UK
- UN Refugee Agency
- With Ukraine Global Support Fund
Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation Foundation has launched an international health appeal with a target of $57.5m (around £43.2m) to deliver urgent healthcare to those in Ukraine as well as refugees. You can donate at https://www.ukraine.who.foundation/.
Show your support at an event
Cambridge Ukrainian Society is organising the following events this weekend:
- A peaceful march for the support of Ukraine on Saturday, March 5 - from 2pm on Sidgwick Avenue, marching to Castle Hill.
- Vigil for the support of Ukraine in Great St Mary’s Church on Sunday, March 6 - from noon.
There have also been gatherings each evening in King’s Parade.
Donating items
A number of places have been collecting items. Some have been so inundated they have finished their collections early so it worth keeping an eye on the Cambridge Ukrainians Facebook page for updates on them at https://www.facebook.com/groups/ukrainiancambridge.
As of Friday, there are the following collection points available:
Shelford Memorial Hall - Sunday, March 6, 8am-6pm
Most-needed items are:
- First aid and medical supplies: plasters/bandages, antiseptic wipes, painkillers
- Torches and batteries
- Toiletries: toothbrushes/paste, soap, deodorant (roll-on not aerosol), sanitary pads
- Nappies, wipes, baby food
- Childrens soft toys and colouring
- Dry food: pasta/rice, biscuits and protein bars
- Tinned food
- Pet food
- Warm clothes, hats/scarves/gloves, coats, vests, spare socks/pants etc
- Large blankets & bedding / pillows/ mats
- Sleeping bags
- Items need to be new or in excellent condition
Chesterton Community College - until Monday, March 7 inclusive
Leave donations at school reception. Baby milk and food donations should not be brought.
Examples of items to donate are
- Batteries / torches / candles
- Pain killers
- Cold and flu relief (Calpol)
- First aid kit supplies
- Toiletries / toothpaste / toothbrushes / body wash / soap / sanitary towels
- Nappies / wipes
- Baby milk / baby food
- Milk bottles / food containers / dummies
- Toys / colouring books / drawing pads / crayons / pens and pencils
- Sweets and treats
- Duvets / blankets / pillows / sleeping bags / towels
Duxford Community Centre, Hunts Road, Duxford, Cambridge CB22 4RE - Saturday, March 5, 10am-4pm
Items to donate include:
- First aid kits
- Painkillers
- Bandages and dressings
- Surgicel 1.25cm x 5cm
- Nappies
- Dry sanitary products
- Toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, wet wipes)
- Foil survivalblankets
- Thermal clothes/ thermal T-shirts / underwear / gloves
- Military clothes new and used
- Knee pads / knee protectors
- Drones
- Batteries / flashlights / candles / helmets / head torches
- Pet Food
- Toys
- Footballs
- Clothes (new or in very good condition), including for children of different ages
- Shoes (new or in very good condition
- Duvets / blankets / sleeping bags / pillows / bedding
What are local authorities doing?
Cambridge City Council has pledged support for refugees leaving Ukraine to escape the Russian invasion.
And a letter to home secretary Priti Patel was signed by Cambridgeshire County Council leader Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, deputy leader Cllr Elisa Meschini, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Dr Nik Johnson, South Cambridgeshire District Council leader Cllr Bridget Smith and city council leader Cllr Anna Smith calling for more support for those in need.
“We urge you now to move faster and do more in the name of Ukrainian and European safety and security,” it read.
Read more
Solidarity march for Ukraine to be held in Cambridge
Cambridgeshire leaders and politicians pledge support for Ukrainian people
Couple paint their Cambridge home with Ukrainian flag
