Reason

I can do so much but I am doing so little

Above thought motivated me to take action, set up a charity Stand with Ukraine Against War and use my connections, reputation and experience to help those fleeing this unprovoked “special military operation” as well as support those opposing it.

Cause

This campaign is targeting a direct cause with visual proof of who is being helped. This is an opportunity to try and do something tangible.

All proceeds will be transferred to the Polish Government established bank account (Konto Unia Metropolii Polskich) allowing a vice mayor of Warsaw district of Praga-Południe and her colleagues to cater to the needs of those feeling the war.

Facebook page of the President of Warsaw is documenting aid being sent to Ukraine alongside the humanitarian efforts provided by Poles.

Why This Cause?

Personally, I have received so many messages of support from existing and past contacts and all were asking me how they can help. The answer wasn’t clear as apart from monetary donations to large organisations there was no single direct tangible help that could be given. I was longing to make a difference to a specific direct cause and ensure that help is swiftly delivered to those in need. It seemed that those around me felt the same way.

Answer came in a form of acquaintance with Izabela Szostak-Smith , a Deputy Mayor of Warsaw District of Praga-Poludnie m.st. Warszawy who at present is coordinating and organising humanitarian support for Ukrainian war refugees and collecting and transferring supplies to Ukraine. She is directly dealing with the humanitarian crisis of the inflow of thousands of Ukrainians into Poland. Izabela is fully hands on and is receiving bullet-stricken trains full of Ukrainians, she places them into accommodation, creates kindergartens for kids including 24 hr care for children arriving from Ukrainian orphanages, coordinates supplies, and is sending provisions to Ukrainians via Red Cross lorries.

History

Day 12 of Russia-Ukraine War - 07.03.2022

Since 22.02.2022 over 1.5 million of Ukrainians escaped the war-torn country. Vast majority of those are women with young children. Since the invasion over 1 million people have fled Ukraine for Poland. Poland as well as Ukrainians require help dealing with this rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis as it’s currently accepting 2/3 of refugees.

07.03.2022 The Guardian Article: Over 1 million people have fled Ukraine for Poland since invasion, say officials

Use of Funds

Majority of the Ukrainians consider it being a temporary measure and would like to return to join their spouses who stayed behind due to Martial Law. Their desire is to rebuild their country when the circumstances allow. In a meanwhile supplies are needed to sustain their stay abroad.

Funds are going to be spend ,among other things, on a list of essentials:

foods with a long shelf life (cans, soups, ready meals, dry bread, coffee, tea, sweets, energy bars, etc.);

baby food: powdered milk, food in jars;

juices in cartons, cans , bottled water;

personal hygiene products (gels, soaps, shampoos, etc. - for children and adults);

cleaning products;

products for children: bottles, diapers, wet wipes, powders, creams for nappy rash;

painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs (also syrups for children), drugs that strengthen immunity;

disinfectants;

batteries, charged power banks;

Some Ukrainians are still on “working from home” terms and consider working for their employers while being displaced in Poland and other neighbouring countries.

Equipment such as laptops, power banks and mobile phones is needed to sustain that employment so that they can carry out their duties without burdening the local economies.

Charitable Foundation

Stand with Ukraine Against War foundation had been created by likeminded people from professional backgrounds united by a desire to provide substantial and real help to targeted singular causes that have arisen out of Russia and Ukraine war. 09.03.2022 Stand with Ukraine Against War foundation has partnered with CAMCARE UK Registered Charity in England: 1177486 so that fundraising efforts can be united. All of us are able to contribute through our wealth of experience and connections – unity is power.

On a board of trustees there is Julia Kedziora , Izabela Swierczynska-Baker and Yuliya Andriyash .

I am from Lviv, Ukraine and emigrated to the UK at the age of 15. For the past 17 years I am successfully running a household furniture importing business Impact Furniture Ltd and through it have established professional connections in Poland and UK, including logistical contacts. I am contributing a wealth of business experience necessary for setting up and running the foundation. I fluently speak English, Ukrainian, Polish and Russian which allows me to easily and effectively communicate with a number of sources.

Izabela Świerczyńska-Baker is a social marketing expert, linguist as well a known personality in a beauty industry in Poland working for Sephora Poland. She brings PR expertise and a number of high-profile contacts including links to Izabela Szostak-Smith , a Deputy Mayor of Warsaw district of Praga-Południe who at present is coordinating and organising humanitarian support for Ukrainian war refugees and collecting and transferring supplies to Ukraine.

Yuliya Andriyash is a Managing Director and founder of AVEY of London, a boutique accountancy firm specialising in provision of high-quality financial reporting, accounting and management information services. Yuliya is a treasurer for the foundation and previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers UK and BDO UK, bringing immense financial proficiency and influential connections. Yuliya was born in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine and is passionately supporting the cause of providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians.

More information about the charity can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/StandWithUkraineAgainstWar

Gift Aid and Operating Structure

Stand with Ukraine Against War is currently operating as a small unincorporated association with a signed constitution.

09.03.2022 - We have teamed up with CAMCARE UK Registered Charity in England: 1177486 and will be working together on future fundraisers under their charity number.

We are in a process of applying to be registered as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission, once charity number is awarded it will be searchable in a Register of Charities https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/ The process takes up to 12 weeks and since this is a time pressing issue we are fundraising in other ways. Please be so kind to sign up for Gift Aid as we can submit a backdated claim to receive 25% on top of donated amount. UPDATE: As the process is so long we are no longer submitting an application but instead have teamed up with a local charity that already is registered so that we can join our efforts together.

Every donation counts, please respond in a way you would like to be treated if it was your family stranded in a war torn country or your loved once displaced while escaping the war.

UK with its people had been amazing at supporting Ukraine, and Ukrainians are very grateful for all the donations, attention, concern and show of solidarity to all those standing with them.

Stand with Ukraine Against War!

The Telegraph: Ukrainian President Zelensky moves translator to tears in speech to European Parliament 1 March 2022

The Independent: Demonstrators chant 'we support Ukraine' in London protest 5 March 2022

The Guardian: Premier League fans and clubs show support for Ukraine before Saturday's 5th March games.