Ever felt helpless? Ever wondered if your cash donations to causes like the war in Ukraine get through? Me too. But I've found a solution - and you can be part of it.

We’ve all felt some of the repercussions from the war in Ukraine at the moment, and there has been a herculean humanitarian effort from charities and organisations responding to the conflict. I was already doing some volunteering with refugees in London when I went to the Poland-Ukraine border. I wanted to lend a hand but also do some fact finding; I wanted to see things for myself and if I could be of use.

"They had receipts to show where the money had gone, photographs from the places they had delivered it to and firsthand testimony of funds well spent. What a good model!"

I met ordinary Ukrainians who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, fleeing a war they didn’t want. My heart went out at the sight of newly-arrived kids with their mothers at the train station or at the volunteer-run overflow shelter. In places like that I met incredible volunteers who dropped everything to set up these spaces and deliver food and basic medical supplies, while governments moved slowly. There was still a lot of need when I visited in October and that was before winter and electricity cuts arrived. 

I was impressed by the strength of character and generosity of everyday people from across Europe and the world, driving and jetting in to volunteer and give everything they can. One crazy Canadian flew in with only a bank card and spent their funds in Poland and Ukraine where the money went further (!) - and then they accompanied the aid to its end destination in Ukraine. They had receipts to show where the money had gone, photographs from the places they had delivered it to and firsthand testimony of funds well spent. What a good model!

I resolved to do the same and that's why I'm fundraising now for a target delivery date of January. With the help of brilliant friend – and fitness fanatic – David, I’ve created By Hand Ukraine, a JustGiving page to raise money for essential aid in Ukraine and Poland. With my target of £2000, the plan is to return to Ukraine in January, spending the donations we’ll gratefully receive on supplies they desperately need.

There are many ways in which you too can donate to this amazing cause. It can be any amount, no matter how big or small. With the cost-of-living crisis upon us and Christmas around the corner, we know that things are tight. You can head over to our By Hand Ukraine JustGiving to donate, check out our Facebook and Instagram to follow our journey. 

Thanks for reading. Wish us luck. I hope you'll be part of this.

Love, Simon

P.S. big thanks to illustrator Sarah Finke for our logo! It's beautiful. Also to the people who welcomed me like Volunteer Housing Initiative and the Hope Foundation . You can also donate to them!