Ukraine war: Special appeal launched to help Ukrainian women refugees and their children this Mother’s Day

As the war in Ukraine escalates, a special Mothers Day appeal has been launched in support of the women refugees due to arrive in the UK with their children.
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Sanctuary Foundation, a coalition of charities that are providing support to Ukrainian refugees in the UK, has received a staggering 28,613 pledges of support for the government’s uncapped humanitarian sponsorship scheme.

They are curating the appeal alongside Sheffield-based Baby Basics UK, a charity that provides essentials and equipment to struggling mothers.

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With the war already generating an estimated four million refugees, both charities have developed a wish list on Amazon and For Common Good for those products that will be most useful.

People rest in a special room for refugees at a railway station in Lviv, western Ukraine, on March 21, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP) (Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images)People rest in a special room for refugees at a railway station in Lviv, western Ukraine, on March 21, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP) (Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images)
People rest in a special room for refugees at a railway station in Lviv, western Ukraine, on March 21, 2022, amid Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP) (Photo by YURIY DYACHYSHYN/AFP via Getty Images)

Donors can browse these lists, add their chosen items to their cart and check out. With gifts ranging in price from £2 through to £300, individuals and communities can easily find something to match their budget. Baby Basics UK will ensure that each gift is matched with, and delivered to a mother in need.

Supporter Caitlin Moran said: “As a mother myself, I have spent the last few years telling my children: “Please don’t get me anything this Mother’s Day - I’m lucky enough to have everything I need.

"This Mother’s Day, I’m glad I can say to them: “If you want to do something for Mother’s Day, please - help someone else’s mother, on my behalf. That’s the best gift I can think of. Mothers want to help mothers everywhere.”

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‘Huge wave of generosity’

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Cat Ross, CEO of Baby Basics added: "There has been a huge wave of generosity with families and households coming forwards to offer their homes to a Ukrainian family in need- it’s been incredible.

“As we know from watching the news, night after night, the majority of those who have become refugees in Europe are mothers and children, who often only have what they can carry. Here at Baby Basics, we are helping to coordinate the effort to ensure your gift is matched with and delivered to a mother in need and to give them the welcome they so deserve this Mother’s Day."

Sofia Lanovy Walsh from the Bradford Ukrainian Community said: “As a descendant of Ukrainian refugees who arrived in the UK after World War II and as a mother myself, I couldn’t imagine being ripped away from your partner and home, travelling thousands of miles, finally arriving in a land of safety, with only what you can carry for you and your baby.

"Baby Basics is giving displaced families arriving in our community, a big hug of love and support in these horrendous times. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you!”

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Last year, in a similar appeal, Baby Basics received 33,000 donations that were then distributed to those families who were evacuated from Afghanistan following the fall of Kabul.

If you would like to give a gift to another mother this Mother's Day, perhaps in honour or memory of a mother figure in your life, please visit SanctuaryFoundation.org.uk and follow the links.

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