Children of Chernivtsi (Ukraine) Christmas Appeal

On 26 November 2023, a group of business contacts and friends – Chris Keane, Keir Merrick (both insolvency solicitors at Clarke Willmott), Niall McCulloch (barrister with specialisms including insolvency at Enterprise Chambers), Mike Wright (ESA Risk – insolvency investigations and support), Mark Jeffries (Camel and Rotary Club of Wakefield Chantry) and Nicholas Ellis (Ellis & Co Accountants) – will be making the return trip of around 3,250 miles from Manchester to Chernivtsi in Ukraine, to deliver Christmas presents and humanitarian aid to children housed across three orphanages and more than 20 shelters.

Working with the Charitable Organization of the Chernivtsi Diocese, they will attempt to improve the quality of the lives of:

• Over 250 children across three orphanages in and around Chernivtsi.

• Over 500 displaced children that are currently being housed in temporary shelters across 23 parishes in the Chernivtsi region that may have lost one or both of their parents as a result of the war.

Prof. Mariia Fedoriak and Fr. Liubomyr Ivanochko, the directors of the charity in Chernivtsi, informed the group it is critical that any aid arrives prior to 1 December 2023. After this date, new customs regulations come into effect in Ukraine and the charity cannot afford to pay the legal fees required to process the necessary paperwork to ensure the aid can get through prior to Christmas.

The group are hoping to raise £30,000 in support of this cause. 

In addition to any Christmas presents they may choose to take with them, the following items are desperately needed:

• School supplies to include stationery, notepads, art and drawing materials etc.

• School backpacks.

• Sports equipment to include balls, nets, tables tennis equipment etc.

• Children's games (including a special request for large Lego or Duplo blocks for children with learning disabilities).

• Hygiene products to include nappies, sanitary products, shampoo, deodorant, body wash, shower gel, toothbrushes etc.

• Winter coats.

• 20 – 30 tents and associated camping equipment such as sleeping bags, sleeping mats/airbeds, lamps etc. so they can be used for summer camps to take the children away from the orphanages/shelters for a much-needed break.

• An off-grid solar power system to be installed at the remote summer camp the Charity has currently been gifted the use of.

They will be taking a week away from their ordinary routines to make the trip through France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania to reach Chernivtsi in the southwest of Ukraine, 25 miles from the border with Romania.

In announcing the trip last week, Chris Keane of Clarke Willmott, said:

“As a father of two beautiful little girls, it really saddened me to read of the plight of the thousands of orphans and other children displaced by the war in Ukraine, especially with Christmas just around the corner.

“Whilst we are seeking cash donations to pay for the items listed on the Just Giving page, we would also really welcome the direct donation of some or all of the items. If you or your organisation can directly supply any of the items listed, we would be very grateful indeed.”