Search Results for: ukraine

Kibworth car wash raises hundreds for Ukraine

By Charlie Hawes

A Kibworth villager who organised a charity car wash in the Harborough district has raised more than £650 for the people of Ukraine.

Claire Stanbridge, of Kibworth, Leicestershire, decided to organise the car wash to raise money for both the Disasters Emergency Committee and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, splitting all donations equally. 

“I decided to do it to simply help Ukraine,” she said.

“I felt helpless up to now so I thought a few hours of my time might make a difference to the poor citizens in the midst of the war with Russia.” 

The car wash took place on Sunday, March 20, on the forecourt of Crouch’s Recovery, Harborough Road, which is located on the busy A6 going through the village – a great location to attract plenty of vehicles.

“We know the man who owns the forecourt and I just thought it was a great location to get passers-by,” added Claire.

South Wigston pre-school launches Ukraine collection appeal

By Ben Stevens

Striving for peace: A girl at the pre-school colours in the word ‘peace’ in the blue and yellow of the flag of Ukraine (Pic: Natasha Yearby)

People are being urged by a pre-school in South Wigston to donate essential items in aid of the Ukrainian people.

Busy Bugs in South Wigston launched its collection appeal last week and have already received around two lorry-loads worth of donations from people in the area.

Working with logistics companies, the donations will not only be distributed to refugees fleeing the country but they will also go to people who are still in Ukraine.

Natasha Yearby, Deputy Manager at Busy Bugs, said: “Like everyone, I have been shocked and horrified to see what has been going on in Ukraine and I knew I had to help in some way.

“We know that South Wigston is a deprived area but we thought if every parent and member of staff could donate just one thing we’d have plenty to send over there.

“It has just gone crazy and people’s generosity and compassion has gone through the roof.”

Natasha says they have received items such as batteries and torches which are especially welcomed as well as nappies, baby food and sanitary products.

Care package: In just a few days, Busy Bugs have collected dozens of boxes and bags to send to the Ukrainian people. (Pic: Natasha Yearby)

As of Monday(MARCH7), more than 1.5 million people are estimated to have fled Ukraine since the invasion began, making this the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since the Second World War.

While millions of pounds have been donated from people around the country, Natasha believes it is better to donate items rather than money.

“I think a lot of people don’t like to donate money because they can’t see exactly where it is going or how the government or organisations spend it,” Natasha said.

“We will try to actually post some pictures of the donations we have received on the ground there and this will hopefully encourage more people to come forward and give what they can.”

For more information and ways to donate you can call Busy Bugs on 07792 533051.

Leicester Taco Bell’s donation scheme to help the people of Ukraine

By Liv Slomka

The Taco Bell restaurant in Gallowtree Gate Leicester, is accepting donations for war-hit Ukraine and is offering customers a free beef, or bean, taco in return. 

The Polish and Lithuanian managers from the Taco Bell have decided to take donations for Ukraine during its crisis to help families with food, water, first aid, medicine, warm clothes and shelters.  

The managers said that it is a project close to their heart and would love to help anyone that they can and will appreciate any kinds of donations to help the country in distress near their national countries.  

All donations are being transferred to the Red Cross foundation in Ukraine; and the public is being encouraged to donate to help save lives by getting a free beef taco or free bean taco.

St Peter’s Catholic parish in Hinckley offers help for Ukraine

by Maciej Wojcik

St Peter’s church, Hinckley

A church community in Hinckley has rallied round to help the people fleeing war-torn Ukraine.

The year 2022 has been a hard one for the people of Ukraine with, as of March 20, more than three million having fled from the country because of the Russian invasion, leaving their relatives, houses and goods behind.

People in the UK have spontaneously organised help for these refugees.

St Peter’s Catholic parish church in Hinckley has joined in by collecting funds for the Disaster Emergency Commitee, and by advising people about places which are collecting items such as food, baby items, bedding or toiletries.

These include the Feed the Hungry charity in Castle Street, Hinckley, and Ss Simon & Jude’s Church in Earl Shilton. Money or cheques can also be passed through the letterbox of the Priory and will be passed to the DEC.

Agnieszka Gwozdz, a volunteer, said: “Collections started weeks ago and we have already £3,000 collected from Hinckley and Market Bosworth and Earl Shilton. And it is still growing.”

Leicester collection appeal sets off for Ukraine with hundreds of items donated

By Ben Stevens

GOOD WILL: The team pack a van full of supplies for refugees

A collection appeal in South Wigston concluded on Saturday with hundreds of items being donated in aid of people fleeing Ukraine.

Around 100 boxes of essential items were donated to the appeal organised by Natasha Yearby in just over two weeks, with dozens of boxes of toys, shoes and clothes also given to the collection.

The items were donated to the Polish Club in Loughborough on Saturday and will begin their journey to near the Polish-Ukrainian border today(WED,MARCH23).

Natasha said: “We have just been completely overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of everyone who has given whatever they can for the appeal.

“This was just a little idea we had to help those desperately poor people fleeing the invasion and it really grew beyond anything we could ever have imagined.

“Initially we thought we might only fill a small car with donations but instead we filled up an entire van so we are just really grateful and happy to have been able to do our bit to help.”

Natasha had previously called for people to donate any physical items that they could as opposed to a financial contribution as she believed this way a more immediate and substantial difference can be made for refugees.

As of last Sunday, it was estimated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that more than 3.5 million people had fled Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24, with the majority going to Poland.

Natasha hopes, however, that some of the items collected will go to people still in Ukraine.

She said: “We know there are a lot of people who can’t or don’t want to leave Ukraine so we are going to try our best and get some of these items into the country if we can.”