Singleton's Dance Academy opens doors for donations towards Ukrainian refugees

Singleton’s Dance Academy, on Mellor Street, Rochdale, has become a registered drop-off point for donations to Ukraine with Yorkshire-based charity, Focus4Hope.

Gemma Finbarr-Smith, who last year co-ordinated donations for Afghan refugees, has opened the doors to her dance studio again to anyone wishing to donate goods to help the Ukrainians and any refugees fleeing the country.
 

Read more: Donations for Afghan refugees can be made at Singleton’s Dance AcademyPublished: 20 August 2021

According to an estimation from the United Nations, about 370,000 refugees have left Ukraine since the conflict began last week. This figure is expected to increase as Russian forces attempt to seize control of Ukrainian cities.

Gemma said: “We did so well as a collection point last year that we decided to do this again. All items will be sent to a sorting office to be distributed. Because you can’t go into Ukraine, donations are being transported to the Polish/Ukrainian border.

“Focus4Hope need specific donations which are going directly to refugees. Think about what you might need if you were kicked out of your home; we don’t need things that aren’t on the list.

“If you’re popping to the supermarket for a bottle of wine, please pick up something like a pack of bottled water or some nappies or sanitary pads and donate them.

“I live opposite my dance studio so if anyone wants to donate, please ring or text me on 07983 578638 so one of us can pop over and unlock the door for you at pretty much any time.”

 

 

Founded in 2016, Focus4Hope is based in Brighouse and provides support homeless, elderly, isolated, and vulnerable in West Yorkshire. The charity has also helped refugees in France and is now working with other charities under the guidance of the Ukrainian Embassy to send much-needed aid to Ukraine, Poland and Romania to aid with the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Items urgently needed are:

• Children’s clothing
• New socks and underwear
• Travel-sized toiletries
• Baby milk
• Light packet food and water
• Sleeping bags
• Coats

The first lot of donations will be collected from Singleton’s next Monday or Tuesday (7 or 8 March).

On Sunday, the UK government announced £40 million of humanitarian aid for Ukraine, to aid agencies in providing access to basic necessities and medical supplies such as medicines, syringes, dressings and wound care packs. 

In response to the growing concern of Ukrainians living in the UK about their welfare of their families back home, the Prime Minister has also confirmed that any person settled in the UK will be able to bring their Ukrainian immediate family members to join them here. Family members eligible to apply for these visas are a spouse or civil partner, an unmarried partner of at least two years, children under the age of 18, a parent if their grandchild is under the age of 18, or adult relatives who are carers.

Two weeks ago, the Home Secretary ordered a package of measures to support British Nationals and their families in Ukraine.

This included temporarily waiving application fees for those eligible under the family migration route, allowing entry for 12 months for others who did not meet the requirements and fast-tracking visas through a 24/7 helpline.

Dependants of British Nationals resident in Ukraine who need a UK visa can apply through the new, temporary location in Lviv or through a Visa Application Centre in nearby countries, including Poland, Moldova, Romania and Hungary.

However, all other visa services in Ukraine have been suspended.

More information is available on the UK govt website.