Football United with Ukraine

United with Ukraine

 

According to Save the Children, up to 100,000 orphaned and disabled children are still trapped in Ukraine in need of evacuation. A Dundee United FC staff member, Ricardo Cerdan Bericat, has already been on the ground and witnessed the plight faced. Ricardo voluntarily travelled to the Poland-Ukraine border with £2,000 worth of United branded outerwear and blankets to assist at the border refugee camp in Medyka. He also spent two days in Lviv, Ukraine, assisting with the escape of desperate refugees with other volunteers. It is evident that the lives of women and children are under threat due to the dangers of human trafficking, especially during the vulnerabilities of war. Ricardo has been the catalyst for this mission through his courage in facing these matters first-hand and now needs our help to be able to reach even more people in Ukraine.

 

The devastating attack on Ukraine has left many women, children and foreign nationals at the helms of desperation. Only 2,500 orphaned children have been moved to safety, with progress slowed due to shelling from Russian troops. Their survival now is dependent on them sheltering in basements with only a handful of carers available, with depleting supplies. In addition to this, the harsh temperatures have increased the burden faced by those escaping to safety. Those still remaining in the country survive on the harsh realities of food and water shortages, lack of warm clothing, and medical and sanitary/hygiene supplies. They are facing an urgent humanitarian crisis and need help now.

 

Staff at Dundee United FC have subsequently set up this fundraiser to send personnel into Ukraine with the aim of reaching orphanages in Lviv and Odessa to provide hands-on assistance alongside a group of voluntary paramedics from London. However, more funds are needed to make a more significant impact. As a community, we are aiming to raise more than £100,000. These funds will go towards securing a bus and a van to venture further into Ukraine to bring supplies and provide transportation for those looking to escape their war-torn towns and cities. The bus will be named “Dignity” after the hit song by the Scottish band Deacon Blue after their lead singer Ricky Ross showed support for the mission.

 

A home will be sourced through Airbnb to house the evacuated orphaned children until they are safely moved to their final destination by the relevant authorities. We also aim to provide security for mothers and children once they arrive at refugee camps, as it has been recently reported that there have been instances of unscrupulous individuals gaining access to these vulnerable groups and attempting to exploit them. There have been reports of rape in refugee camps in Germany and Poland and the activity of gangs engaging in human trafficking. These vulnerable and brave women and children must be protected at all costs.

 

We now need your support to help reach the goal and provide the necessary assistance to Ukrainians. Any amount you can spare will be a big help and make a difference. Please donate and share this fundraiser with your friends, families and communities.

 

Your donation will be used to fund the mission as follows – with needs met as they transpire:

 

£25,000 – 55-seater Bus

£10,000 – 8-seater Van

£15,000 – Medical supplies

£10,000 – Hygiene supplies

£25,000 – Food and Water supplies

£10,000 – Warm clothing