Earlier this year SPBF helped our Police Colleagues and their families in war torn Ukraine, by providing a donation towards the invaluable work being undertaken by Cops For Ukraine (Cops4Ukraine). We recently received and update from them regards the work they have been undertaking and below is a summary of their efforts.
COPS4UKRAINE
Earlier this month large quantities of Cops4Ukraine aid successfully reached several Police Stations in the East of Ukraine
The consignments of aid included 100 Individual Trauma First Aid Kits (IFAKS), large boxes of assorted trauma medical supplies, Sanitary Products, Gloves, Socks, Boots, large quantities of winter thermals, winter jackets, winter trousers, ballistic vests, and ballistic helmets. A car and minibus for use by the police officers moving too and from the frontline were also donated. These consignments have been received by very appreciative officers at four police stations spread across the Sumy, Poltava and Dnipro regions of Ukraine.
We remain in close communication with our contacts in Ukraine and know they are facing a terribly difficult winter, so we were extremely pleased to get these consignments of aid out to our Ukrainian colleagues just in time for the winter conditions that have arrived in the country this week.
As a bonus and thanks to the incredible donation of an entire vehicle. Funds were freed up to allow a minibus and boxes full of children’s toys and clothing to be donated to a Childrens centre in the Dnipro region. The centre run by a church group offers support and education to around 40 children of all ages in the most difficult of circumstances.
We have learned through our close contact with them, that the centre is unfortunately located close to civilian power infrastructure. So regular air raid alarms and the constant threat of a missile strikes is something that has become an horrific part of daily life for the children. So regular are the sound of alarms and explosions, that the centre has lined the inside of their windows with used cardboard egg boxes in an attempt to provide the children with some peace.
The children’s centre had been desperately wanting a minibus for some time but had struggled to raise the required funds. So, it goes without saying that we were only too happy to be able to donate one to them. The bus will allow them to take the children into town, out for day trips and ultimately away from danger if required.
Although the war in Ukraine is now not seeing the same media attention is did at the beginning of the invasion. The horrors faced by the Ukrainian people continue on a daily basis. Earlier in the year a missile hit a residential apartment block not far from the children’s centre. The blast killed 46 people including 6 children, injured 80 and left 400 people homeless. These images were shared with us by one of the workers at the children’s centre and show the scene of the devastation.
Inclusive of the above consignments, Cops for Ukraine have now delivered eight separate loads of aid to Ukrainian Officers. This has only been possible due to the incredible support we have had from our colleagues here at Cheshire Constabulary, Police Federations, members of the public and suppliers! We are particularly appreciative of officers at Chester who took on the Chester Marathon to help raise funds and all those involved in the Cake Sales!
As many of the donations we have received have been physical donations it is difficult to put an exact figure on the value of the aid we have provided so far. However, we do believe it to be well in excess of our original £25,000 target!
It was a mammoth push to get these consignments out in time for the winter months, but we are determined to continue our support for the Ukrainian Police and we are certainly keen to do more to support the Childrens Centre – We already have some ideas of how to do this and we know with your support we will make them a success!
If you are able to help in anyway, donations can be made through our Just Giving page equally if you have an idea for a fundraising event or project to support the initiative, please do get in touch!
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/copsforukraine
