Council encourages donations to Ukraine humanitarian appeal
News release issued:
An appeal has been launched by the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee to help the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fleeing conflict.
Wyre Forest District Council is encouraging residents who wish to make financial donations to support the appeal.
Fifteen leading UK aid agencies - including the British Red Cross, Oxfam and Save the Children - are working together to help people who have fled Ukraine, but also those who have been displaced to other parts of the country.
All public donations will be doubled by the UK government, up to a total of £20m.
Vice-Chairman of the Council, Councillor Peter Dyke said: “We have all been shocked by the unjustified Russian invasion of Ukraine, a free and democratic country. To show solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we will be flying the Ukrainian flag at our Wyre Forest House headquarters in the near future.
“Many local people want to show their support for Ukraine in practical ways. If you want to make a financial donation for humanitarian aid, I encourage you to donate to the DEC Appeal. If you are a UK taxpayer, you can also claim gift aid and the Government will add 25% to your donation. It’s easy to donate online by visiting the DEC website.
“The Government is also matching the first £20m of donations, so anything you give might be doubled and will be used by a range of well-known charities to deliver aid where it is needed.”
A donations centre in support of Ukrainian refugees is set to open on Sunday 6 March from 11am to 3pm at the former Debenhams store in Weavers Wharf, Kidderminster.
To help support refugees, the centre will be collecting essential items including; clean warm clothes for women, teenagers and children, underwear, socks, tights and especially baby clothes; baby food, sanitary towels, tampons, baby lotions, over the counter medicines (aspirin, paracetamol, Ibuprofen, codeine), Sudacrem, Calpol, toothpaste and tooth brushes, shaving gear, deodorants, shampoo, soaps, towels and blankets.
It will also be open on Wednesday 9 March – 4.30pm to 7.30pm, Thursday 10 March – 1pm to 3pm, Friday 11 March – 1pm to 3pm and Sunday 13 March – 11am to 3pm.