Prompted by the horror and helplessness everyone felt following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in April of this year the UK Cinema Association and Event Cinema Association - supported by colleagues at the digital creative studio Powster – launched Cinemas for Ukraine.

Cinemas for Ukraine provides an opportunity for those working in the wider cinema sector to help individuals in our industry and their families directly impacted by the war.

Those efforts raised over £7,500, all of which was - on the advice of the national Ukrainian cinema trade body - donated to the Fedir Shpyg Charitable Foundation, which has long-standing experience in providing targeted charitable assistance. Beneficiaries included those working in the Ukrainian cinema industry, their families and others affected by the conflict.

Eight months on, and with the struggle for survival of Ukraine is still very much underway, the needs of people on the ground have if anything increased.

As we approach the Christmas period, we are renewing our appeal for donations.

Many have already donated to our fund or to international relief efforts co-ordinated by the Disasters Emergency Committee, the Red Cross and others, all doing great work to help those in Ukraine affected by the war.

But every additional donation to our fund-raising effort – no matter how small – will be both a further help and a sign of continued solidarity with colleagues in Ukraine at a time of extraordinary need.

Thank you for any support you can provide.

More information from the Union of Cinema Theatres of Ukraine can be found here.