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£25k donated to Ukrainian families and animals on behalf of UK Ireland employees

As the war in Ukraine continues, many of us wish we could do more to help. In March, our global Board of Managing Directors donated EUR 2.5 million to humanitarian relief funds for Ukraine and its citizens. Here in the UK & Ireland, our Executive Committee made an additional donation of £25,000 to help people and animals affected by the war.

This donation is on behalf of all UK & Ireland colleagues who stand in solidarity with Ukraine.  

Here’s where the money has gone:

£5,000 for Ukrainian families arriving in the Bracknell area

Our Sustainable Development for Generations framework guides us to support our local community, especially the most vulnerable.  When we heard that refugee Ukrainian families were starting to arrive in Bracknell, home to our UK headquarters, we were determined to help. We connected with the local foodbank and discovered they were organising Welcome Packs containing not just basic food supplies but also essential toiletries and sanitary items, colouring books and pens for children, and even a few treats.  These packs cost around £25 each.  We have donated £5,000 to provide Welcome Packs for 200 families.

Sarah Walker from the foodbank explained: “Women are arriving with their children and not only must they face the devastation of having left their husbands behind to fight in Ukraine, they have fled with almost nothing except the clothes they are wearing.  The BI sponsored Welcome Packs provide practical support to help get these families settled within the first few days of arrival.  More than that they are a sign that the local community here in Bracknell welcomes them and stands alongside them in the face of their unimaginable horror.”

Ukrainian families arriving in the UK

£10,000 for UNICEF UK to help children, families and hospitals

We are also aware that millions of people remain in danger in Ukraine.  Women and children are particularly vulnerable, which is why we have chosen to make a donation of £10,000 to UNICEF – the United Nations children’s fund. UNICEF is working around the clock in Ukraine and at the borders of neighbouring.  Our donation will go towards:

  • Providing clean water and lifesaving supplies to support families who have been forced to flee.
  • Delivering vital medical supplies to 49 hospitals across Ukraine, improving access to healthcare for 400,000 mothers, babies and other children.
  • Increasing the number of mobile child protection teams to ensure that children have access to care and support.
  • Supporting and protecting the millions of families who have fled Ukraine, UNICEF is working with local governments across neighbouring countries to create Blue Dot safe spaces for children and women. These spaces provide key information to families seeking refuge, psychosocial support, water and sanitation supplies, and help in identifying and protecting unaccompanied and separated children.

£10,000 to the British Blue Cross to help pets and animals 

the British Blue Cross to help pets and animals

BI is a leading animal health company and many of our employees are pet-owners, so we couldn’t forget about the animals affected by the war. The British Blue Cross has a long history of helping animals in times of conflict and is witnessing the atrocities unfolding in Ukraine with many people fleeing with their pets.  In some cases, they are carrying them for miles not wanting to leave their precious family members behind.

The Blue Cross is working closely with three animal welfare charities in Poland and Romania providing frontline support to Ukrainian people and their pets.  We have donated £10,000 to the British Blue Cross which will be distributed to these three charities:

  • Save the Dogs & Other Animals is a charity that currently has a team on the Ukraine-Romania border striving to keep families and pets together, and providing refuge for pets that can no longer be with their families
  • The Animal Care Society is providing aid to Ukrainian pets and their owners as they arrive in Poland
  • Transylvania Animal Care is based in Romania and is providing medical treatment to Ukrainian pets

None of us can imagine how harrowing it must be for those caught up in the conflict.  We hope that this donation of £25,000, made on behalf of all our UK & Ireland employees, will make a difference to families and animals who need all the help we can give.

 

NP-IE-100783      August 2024