Help Support Ukrainian Refugees in Scarborough

Below is my original post that I included when I originally set up this Ukrainian appeal. How things have moved on in the very short time my appeal has been live!

A LOT HAS HAPPENED!

I would like to update you on what has happened.

But first of all, I would like to say a big thank you to all of you who have donated to date. Your support has helped a lot! THANK YOU!

What started as my helping two Ukrainian families has grown significantly and my little group has grown and is now supporting a significant number of Ukrainian families in and around the Scarborough area. We have a FaceBook page of over 400 members.

There are no approximately 90 - 100 Ukrainian Ukrainian individuals in the area being supported by their sponsors. We are now assisting guests and sponsors at our very successful weekly drop-in meeting and through individual assistance in the following areas.

Advice and support at our weekly meetings in areas such as benefits, education, health and employment.

Advice and support to guests and sponsors on a whole variety of issues.

Administrative assistance on benefits, immigration, health, education and employment.

Assistance with travel from and to airports, immigration centers, hospitals, GP practices and dentists.

Receiving/collecting/distributing clothing, toiletries and household goods to guests.

Two face-to-face group English lessons per week.

Organizing social events.

Assisting matches between prospective guests and sponsors.

Assisting with guest visa applications.

We will continue to support sponsors and guests in Scarborough and the surrounding area and those guests who are expected to arrive in the area.

Your continued support is very much appreciated.

ORIGINAL POST

Hello, I'm Iain. My frustration grows as each day passes. Like many, I feel helpless when it comes to influencing the horrific ongoing events in Ukraine . I can’t just sit and just do nothing. I have friends and clients in Ukraine. I’ve visited the country a couple of times. I’ve met many Ukrainians over the years on ships. I’m in touch with friends still in and recently evacuated from their homeland.

This is a photograph of a house I own. It’s next to my office in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, UK. I was living here temporarily and have just moved out. It’s a big house. I had planned to rent it out for profit. But in these terrible times, there are more important things than profit.

I’m anticipating some positive news from the UK Government on Monday that will hopefully see an easing of the immigration process, allowing Ukrainian families to come to the UK. Those countries bordering Ukraine are being overwhelmed by those displaced (an estimate of 2.5m to date). I have heard firsthand of the amazing generosity of those individuals waiting at the borders to help in any way they can. The UK people are doing their bit too. I hope the UK Government does the right thing and helps ease the crisis at the borders by simplifying the VISA process.

My house needs a bit of work (just decorating and bit of wiring) and will need essential furniture, but it’s vacant and it’s a safe place.

It can comfortably house 12 people. But realistically, quite a few more.

I’m looking for financial support to make it ready as a safe place for families to live. It shouldn’t take much, but support will also be needed to help with the utility bills.

If I had the means, I’d find this myself, but I simply haven’t. But I will provide all of the support I/my company can with full transparency. I want nothing more from this.

Am I doing the right thing? I think I am. I don’t know. But it’s better than feeling like I’m doing nothing. If you can help, it will hopefully give you a sense that you are able to help those caught up in this terrible situation in just a small way.

If you want to help, even in the smallest of ways then please get in touch and I’ll share my ideas with you.

Thank you