Bristol businesses are being urged to step up and provide emergency funding to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country.
Charity People against Poverty, which works both internationally and in the UK to alleviate poverty and suffering, is aiming to raise £20,000 within the next seven days to safely place families forced out of Ukraine by the conflict.
The Wiltshire-based charity’s existing Way of Joy project in Romania is aiming to put provisions in place to initially support up to 30 displaced mothers and children in the church building and then in their own homes, providing a sense of security during highly uncertain times.
The appeal comes after one of the charity’s project leaders in Romania, Dr Raul Chirica, pictured, reported being overwhelmed when he visited the border 300km away to see first-hand the level of help that is needed.
The emergency appeal raised an amazing £5,000 in its first 24 hours through online donations and via a quiz & curry fundraising evening in the Moonlight Indian Restaurant in Corsham, Wiltshire.
People against Poverty CEO Val Huxley said: “What’s taking place in Ukraine at this very moment is such a desperate situation.
“With so many families being split up in the face of this war, it’s very easy for us in the UK watching on to feel hopeless and unable to help on a practical level when seeing the scenes that are playing out on the news at present.
“Our Way of Joy project is urgently seeking emergency funds to provide holistic, long-term care and support to Ukrainian families in need of shelter and a home during this conflict.”
All funds generated will be dispatched immediately to the charity’s project leaders in Romania, where it has been working since 2003, to buy essentials such as mattresses, blankets, towels, toiletries and food – everything that is needed to keep the mothers and their children safe.
Funds generated by the appeal will also enable the project team in Romania to provide safe passage from the Ukrainian border, foster links with Ukrainian churches to identity families in need of shelter, provide three meals a day and offer educational provision and activities for the children as well as counselling for the displaced mothers.
Val added: “We need to act and we need to act now. Every penny raised by this appeal will go directly to our project so that our team in Romania can begin the arduous task of helping these families in this time of dire need.”
People against Poverty also runs projects in India, Haiti, Nepal, Malawi and Tanzania.
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to donate online directly to the appeal via https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/12690#!/DonationDetails
