NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
More than 1.5 million refugees have fled war-torn Ukraine to bordering countries in the 10 days since the invasion started, the United Nations confirmed.
And as the Russian attack on its Eastern European neighbour continues, it’s understandable that many in the UK want to help wherever they can.
One such way of helping is by donating to vital humanitarian charities, such as the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal, UNICEF Ukraine Appeal and the UN Regufee Appeal.
The Mail has launched an appeal, too – which managed to raise more than £1.2 million in its first two days alone.
There’s also the the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) appeal, which has raised over £1 million. Just £8 will provide two woolly blankets, while £23 will give a whole month’s worth of food and hygiene products to a family of four.
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But if you lack funds, is there anything else you can donate instead, such as clothing?
Many refugees will arrive in new countries with little more than a backpack or small suitcase of belongings – but so far, lots of UK donation points have been inundated with clothes.
It’s best to listen out to community groups for what they really need, which right now seems to be thermal clothing, blankets, towels, nappies, toiletries, first aid kits, and other essential items.
And, of course, to make sure the place you’re donating to has collaborated with local communities or larger charities – to ensure items get where they’re needed.
Here are just a few of the places you can donate.
Volunteers at Southampton’s Polish Club have already shipped off a large van of donations, including clothes, dried food, and other essentials.
On Facebook, the club wrote that they DO NOT need more clothes, but are desperate for donations of thermal clothing (specifically).
They also need hand and foot warmers, thermal blankets, small tents, and medical supplies such as wound dressings.
The club has been updating on their progress, having sent numerous vans out containing the vital supplies.
Head to: 507 Portswood Rd, Southampton, SO17 2TH
#ukraine #crisis our fellow human beings need our #help we are trying to send over as many #clothes as possible to #refugees that have found themselves in this #war please help details in the video and #share #BeardedBroz #OneHumanRace pic.twitter.com/BJTTURd3Hm
Smethwick-based community group The Bearded Broz is accepting donations of clothes from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, which it intends to deliver to Poland.
They have also requested baby items, such as nappies.
Head to: Unit 8, Ashcourt, Smethwick, Birmingham, B66 1QG
This Balham-based group were originally accepting clothing donations, but now specifically need military clothes (old or new), nappies, shower gel, shampoos, wet wipes, first aid kits and sanitary products.
They’re open between 5pm to 8pm most days, or from 10am on Fridays.
Head to: 211 Balham High Road, SW17 7BQ
ðºð¦ Update – We have been inundated with clothing & currently can’t take anymore at present.We are very grateful for the help received and will update further when we can accept again. We will continue to accept non-perishable food, nappies, toiletries, hygiene products. Thankyou
Foodstock in Belfast were accepting clothes, but have been inundated, so for now are asking instead for toiletries, non-perishable food, nappies and baby products.
They’re being delivered to Poland, which is receiving a large influx of refugees.
Head to: 150 Andersontown Road, BT11 9BY
TippyToes BabyBank in Lancashire has arranged a delivery to Poland after Friday, March 11. So you have until then to donate.
On Facebook, they wrote that they are particularly in need of towels, blankets and baby food.
Head to: The baby bank’s donation points
This salon has asked for donations not of clothing but other essentials, such as blankets, sleeping bags, baby items and toiletries.
They’re accepting donations on March 1 until 6pm.
Head to: 38 Winchester Street, Salisbury, SP1 1HG
Monetary donations to the big humanitarian organisations will help supplies like these get to the people who need them most.
If you can’t find an appeal near you, but are still feeling compelled to donate clothes, contact your local charity shops to see if they are accepting normal donations.
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