With the number of refugees fleeing the crisis in Ukraine said to be nearing 2 million, many of us here in the UK are wondering what ways we can chip in to help out those who now find themselves suddenly displaced and facing such uncertain futures.
While the best way to assist, as we reported last week (The Outdoor Industry’s Response to Ukraine), is to donate cash straight to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, us outdoor enthusiasts are also well-placed to help in other ways, namely by donating some of the technical kit we have, items such as sleeping bags, sleeping mats and first aid kits.
If you are thinking of chipping in, here’s a list of organisations that, at the time of writing, have put out public appeals for specific items. Make sure to keep an eye on each venue’s social media pages to see if they are still accepting items as some places are quickly becoming overwhelmed.
North
Alpkit, Alfreton
Accepting: sleeping mats, sleeping bags, head torches and more items.
Status check: alpkit.com
Bury Polish Social Club, Bury, Manchester
Accepting: clothing and shoes, toiletries, blankets, sleeping bags, bandages, nappies and baby wipes, sanitary products, crayons and colouring books, as well as volunteers who can package items.
Status check: facebook.com/polishclubbury/
South East
Polish White Eagle Club, Balham
Accepting: clothing, bedding and other items
Status check: http://facebook.com/kluborlabialego/
Kerith Church, Bracknell
Accepting: sleeping bags and other items
Status check: facebook.com/kerithcommunitychurch/
North London Collection Centre, Brondesbury Park
Accepting: various essentials
Status check: unknown
Primrose Hill Community Library, Regent’s Park
Accepting: first aid kits, bandages and personal hygiene and other items.
Status check: facebook.com/PrimroseHillCommunityLibrary/
Cramers Butchers, Islington
Accepting: Thermal blankets, torches and sanitary products are wanted.
Status check: facebook.com/cramers.butchers.5
Midlands
Agie and Katie restaurant, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
Accepting: medical supplies, baby items, sleeping bags and more items.
Status check: facebook.com/AGIEandKATIErestaurant
Malvern Bakehouse in Malvern, Worcestershire
Accepting: first-aid items, blankets, sleeping bags and more items.
Status check: facebook.com/malvernbakehouse/
South
Polish Club, Southampton
Accepting: food, warm clothes, bedding and sleeping bags, sanitary and medical supplies
Status check: facebook.com/PolskiKlubSouthampton/
Carterton Leisure Centre, Oxfordshire
Accepting: dried food (long life), bottled water, first aid supplies, toiletries and sanitary items (unopened), warm clothes and underwear, sleeping bags (no duvets or pillows) and toys
St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Long Street, Devizes
Accepting: Good quality, warm clothing (donations paused)
Status check: facebook.com/standrewsdevizes/
Scotland
St Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in Edinburgh
Accepting: Essential supplies
Status check: facebook.com/Ukrainian-Catholic-Church-in-Scotland-741682002523237/
Abernecessities, Aberdeenshire
Accepting: Sleeping bags, first aid, bandages and more items
Status check: facebook.com/AberNecessities/
Prestige Town, Ellon, Aberdeenshire
Accepting: Torches, powerpacks, binoculars, large suitcases and storage bags.
Status check: facebook.com/Prestige-Town-2163794997187707/
Wales
Roc Bloc Climbing Centre, Cardiff
Accepting: sleeping bags, survival blankets, first aid kits, head torches, warm socks, gloves, camping food
Status check: facebook.com/RocBlocCardiff/
Polish Integration Support Centre, Wrexham
Accepting: Numerous essential items
Status check: facebook.com/PISCWrexham/
NOTE: Many of the donation points have been busy this week and some have stopped accepting new drop-offs while they process existing items. Please check with the organisers before taking your donations. Please contact us if you’d like your organisation added to this list.
