A charity lunch hosted by JCB has raised over £34,000 to fund generators that will provide vital power to schools and community centres near the front line in Ukraine.
The event was held as part of the Plant and Hire Aid Alliance, an industry organisation that has already raised millions of pounds over the last few years to help the people of Ukraine.
Providing essential heat, light and power
The money raised will be used to buy generators for people who have lost power in the Russian bombardments. Each 8kA generator costs £500, which means that the event will be able to fund 68 new generators.
The generators are supplied at cost by JCB, and delivered by its dealership in Ukraine. This avoids expensive delivery costs and logistics, and maximises the impact of the donations, ensuring every penny goes to help the people of Ukraine.
Aid Alliance founder, Jeremy Fish, was delighted with the success of the event. “Each one of these generators provides much needed power to struggling families, schools and communities,” he said. “With winter approaching, these generators are urgently needed right across Eastern Ukraine. They not only provide the kind of basic comforts we all take for granted, like heat and light; they could actually save lives.”
Anyone wishing to donate one or more generators, at £500 each, or contribute towards one, should get in touch via the website at aid-alliance.com.
Giving Ukrainian Children a Christmas
The Aid Alliance are also well underway with their third Christmas present appeal. The team provided 30,000 presents in 2022 and 45,000 presents in 2023, and this year they hope to send even more.
They have already secured 25,000 gifts, and they will be holding three Wrap-a-thons in Ipswich, Swindon and Bath on Saturday 23rd November to gift wrap the presents. Volunteers are needed at all three sites, or you can buy and wrap your own gifts and send them to the Aid Alliance in Ipswich by the end of November. (Please attach a removable label stating boy or girl and age range).
A Christmas convoy, loaded with gifts for the children of Ukraine, will leave Ipswich in the first week of December.
A forgotten war
With conflict in the Middle East, US elections and more taking over the news cycle, it’s easy to forget the ongoing war in Ukraine. However, the suffering goes on, and the people of Ukraine need help now more than ever.
As the war enters its third winter, the warmth from donated generators, and the hope and Christmas spirit shown in your gifts, help to show the people of Ukraine that they have not been forgotten. So please, give generously at aid-alliance.com, send gifts or give up a few hours of your time to help this worthy cause.