Supporting the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal
“As we continue to watch with interest, shock and upset as the situation in the Ukraine unfolds I am humbled by the incredible outpouring of support from SWASFT staff and volunteers. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by this horrific situation and members of our SWASFT family who are directly affected by this humanitarian crisis.” Will Warrender, Chief Executive, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
UPDATE 8th March 2022
The latest advice from the Polish government website calls for a stop to the direct donation of goods and for efforts to focus on fundraising to make donations to existing charity partners working in the area, in order to have a more efficient, responsive and coordinated response. Their website states;
"We call on everyone wishing to help not to organise further collections of in-kind donations, as their transport to Poland – followed by a lengthy unloading, storage, selection and distribution procedure – generates disproportionate amounts of additional work and cost, which proves ineffective and counterproductive to the needs of those affected.
We encourage everyone wishing to help to organise fundraisers and direct donations of funds to verified organisations that will use the funds received for assistance provided in accordance with the strict needs and effective operation in the long term".
For anyone wishing to make a monetary donation, the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) have launched an appeal, bringing together 15 leading UK aid charities to provide and deliver food, water, shelter and medical assistance where it is needed (https://www.dec.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-humanitarian-appeal).
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds in the Ukraine many groups have been organising the collection of donated items to keep families and children safe, warm and fed. We have provided details of some of these below.
Please note: Many of the donation points have been busy and some have stopped accepting new drop-offs while they process existing items. Please check with the organisers before taking your donations.
Bristol North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
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https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/ukraine-crisis-how-help-bristol-6730715
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Emersons Green - There's a donation collection point for Ukraine now open at Emersons Green Village Hall in Bristol, BS16 7AP. They need nappies for children and adults, baby cream, cleaning chemicals, blankets, sleeping bags, duvets, pillows and mattresses. Their opening times depend on capacity to take donations and updates are available on their Facebook page (https://m.facebook.com/Emersons-Green-Village-Hall-668757013154261/).
Wiltshire
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Salisbury - Head To Toe Nail Salon, 38 Winchester Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 1HG)
The team at Head To Toe in Salisbury are appealing for thermal blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, toys, new or undamaged clothes, waterproof jackets, underwear, soap, shower gel, toothpaste and toothbrushes, hairbrushes, sanitary pads and antiseptics. (http://www.head-to-toe-salisbury.co.uk/) -
Westbury - Daykin Estates, Unit 4 Rockhaven Business Park, Commerce Close, Westbury BA13 4FZ
For those living in Wiltshire, a new donation point in the town of Westbury has been set up. They are looking for clothes, blankets, sleeping bags, children's toys, pet food, and long-lasting cupboard supplies, such as pasta and rice. The donation point posted: "We are in touch with a hostel in Zgierz and a volunteer centre in Lodz, every item donated will go directly into hands of the Ukrainian people in need.
Somerset
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https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/supplies-ukrainian-refugees-polish-border-6731985
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Bridgwater - St Mary's Church in Bridgwater is collecting donations of blankets and towels, clothes, toiletries, torches, medicines, first aid kits, modified milk, and other essentials from 9.30am-12pm on Mondays, 9.30am-2pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 9.30am-3pm Thursday at variable times on Fridays and 8.30-9.30am and 11am on Sundays. More information here (https://twitter.com/StBridgwater/status/1498997788612440066?s=20&t=1r1-NBQyEINmWXobMsdvcA).
Gloucestershire
Dorset
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https://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/dorset-ukraine-donations-help-where-6728136
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Dorchester - https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/19958923.donation-point-ukraine-prince-wales-school-dorchester/
Devon
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https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/live-devon-ukraine-donations-6733945
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Exmouth - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-60593136
Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly
What to donate
Please check with your local donation point to confirm which items they currently require.
Most needed items include:
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thermal blankets
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medication (painkillers, aspirin, cough syrups, antiseptic creams, antibiotic creams, gels for burns, plasters.)
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bandages
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nappies (all sizes including adults)
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sanitary towels
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towels
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first aid kits
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sleeping bags
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blankets
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metal cups, plates
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hair brushes
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toothbrushes and toothpaste
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torches
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batteries
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toilet rolls
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soap
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warm clothes (clean, bagged, labelled - man woman or child)
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multi-packs of sweets