Six months on from the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, We Love MCR Charity marks Ukraine Independence Day with the news that the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund they launched in partnership with Manchester City Council has started to make a positive impact on the lives of Ukrainians arriving in the city.
The Fund’s purpose is to offer the warmest possible welcome to Ukrainian refugees fleeing devastation in their homeland and finding refuge in Manchester, where some have been taken in by local residents.
The first release of donations was awarded to Ardwick-based charity Europia in May:
The support worker role has now been filled, and drop-in sessions started this August. The hardship fund has also supported 11 refugees so far by providing them with essentials.
Cristina Leonte, from Europia, tells us how the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund is making a difference:
“The fund is enabling us to set up vital support and advice for Ukrainian refugees arriving in Manchester. Alongside our hardship fund we are running a weekly advice drop-in every Monday 2-5pm at Manchester Central Library, our first session was very well attended.”
We are also offering opportunities for Ukrainians to volunteer and develop their skills, as well as setting up wellbeing activities and support. We hope our project will help Ukrainians to access services and navigate life in the UK during an overwhelming and challenging time.”
Following their initial success, these sessions are now being extended to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill. Europia are also in the process of identifying a third location, meaning their support will go even further to support Ukrainians in Manchester.
So far £68,000+ has been raised for the Fund by generous Mancunians’ efforts, like Paul Rosenthal’s arduous walkfrom Manchester to Buckingham Palace, and two Didsburyprimary schools doing their bit. Cavendish Community School raised £520 at a bake sale and St. Catherine’s R.C. donated £748 after a ‘United for Ukraine’ day, where pupils wrote letters to children affected by the war.
Donations to the MCR Ukraine Welcome Fund can be made at the fund’s JustGiving page here, or by texting WELCOME 10 to 70490 to give £10. Max donation £20 per text. Texts cost donation amount plus one standard network rate message.
