Ukraine

Written on 01 March 2022.

We are appalled and saddened by what is happening in Ukraine and our hearts go out to all those people affected.  Like you, we want to do what we can to help. 

On 20 April, Wiltshire Council advised that approximately 1,500 households registered for the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Wiltshire. Currently 288 homes have been matched with 794 individuals and 307 visas have been issued.  Advice, more information and links at  https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/communities-thanked-for-efforts-to-support-ukrainian-refugees

DONATIONS

Updated 11 April: Tesco Marlborough and the Town Council at 5 High Street donation points are now closed.  Thank you to everyone who has donated and especially to our volunteer drivers for your help in delivering the items. 

Sharing on behalf of residents Mr & Mrs Johnson: they who have already made one trip to Poland with donations and are going again at the beginning of May.  They are in search of more donations: if you believe you have something that may be useful, particularly with children, women and families in mind, please contact Finlay Johnson finlayjohnson1993@gmail.com

Homes for Refugees

 On 20 April, Wiltshire Council advised that approximately 1,500 households registered for the Homes for Ukraine scheme in Wiltshire. Currently 288 homes have been matched with 794 individuals and 307 visas have been issued.  Advice, more information and links at  https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/communities-thanked-for-efforts-to-support-ukrainian-refugees

Donations

We really would encourage residents who want to support the people of Ukraine to do so by donating financially to an established charity rather than donating goods. 

For example, the Ukraine Disaster Emergency Committee Appeal (DEC) funds are distributed to a group of charities (e.g. Oxfam, Save the Children, Christian Aid) and this network is providing urgent humanitarian aid including food, water, shelter, healthcare and protection.  They are already on the ground in the region.  This is far more effective and efficient than donating goods which may take many days to reach the people who need them.  Buying locally means the charities can buy in bulk getting better value, receive items quickly and support local economies at the same time.

Donating this way will also make your money go much further.  Your donation will be doubled (and more, if you tick the gift aid box) because the UK Government will match donations to the DEC Appeal (or any of its individual participating charities) starting with a £20 million commitment.

Normally the Town Council would not promote any organisation asking for money.  However we think the situation as it stands warrants sharing information on ways individuals can donate financially if they choose.  Here are some links to organisations where you can help fund support teams working either inside Ukraine or helping people who have been forced to flee.  If you are in any doubt at all, we strongly advise anyone considering making a financial donation to research the organisation first to be sure you understand what they do and how your money will be used.  We’re sorry, but we can’t accept cash donations ourselves.

Thank you to St John’s, Marlborough: from Friday 4 March at 09:00 until Friday 11 March at 15:00 St John's held a ‘ParentPay’ link set up for monetary donations. The money raised was split equally between two charities UNICEF and The British Red Cross to provide aid and supplies directly to Ukrainian refugees.

DONATIONS IN KIND

Updated 11 April: Tesco Marlborough and the Town Council at 5 High Street donation points are now closed.  Thank you to everyone who has donated and especially to our volunteer drivers for your help in delivering the items.

SWINDON

----older news------ 

As of 17 March, Swindon Humanitarian Aid  has provided an update to say that drop off points are currently CLOSED.  Please don't bring any more items to Marlborough drop off points for a few days until we can clarify whether this is permanent, or whether they will reopen soon.

"Drop off points are closed because of volunteers resting or slowing due to capacity. Please contact the places before going. We are looking for more warehousing space & trucking and will update next week.

It is humbling to see & thanks Swindon, Wiltshire, UK residents, families, communities, charities, businesses, schools, media & SBC for the donations & hard work, volunteer work & keeping the communications going, developing the relations locally & across Poland, Europe for getting food, medicines, clothes & shelter into the hands of the struggling, sad, terrifying conditions of the Ukrainian refugees.

We are also preparing to utilise donations for local Ukrainian refugees: individuals, families & communities in Swindon, with the Government's request for UK residents to sign up, be vetted & undergo security checks to help host Ukrainian refugees."

https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/

#StandWithUkraine

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