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Original poster

Is sending lorry loads of clothes etc to Ukraine the right thing to do? Or is money to charities working on the ground always better?

72 replies

YforWanky · 01/03/2022 09:59

Just curious, I know a lot of people are queueing with donations of clothes and toys and nappies etc and I understand the wish to help. But I remember seeing an article about donations to a disaster zone and how they'd been sent useless stuff like inappropriate clothing for the season, and out of date silicone breast implants Hmm and it basically created a massive problem. But then I can see how people fleeing with nothing will of course need clothing and bedding!

So as title really - what is the right way to support the people of Ukraine?

OP posts:
Original poster
YforWanky · 01/03/2022 15:44

@RoastedFerret

Are you following what the charities involved are saying about it? If you do there are answers to all of your questions. I have seen every point that is being raised on this thread being addressed by charities today. If you just want to moan that's fine but if you actually want to help then check out the charities involved, they have the answers to everything that you are asking.
Well I'm asking because my social media is absolutely full of people collecting stuff to send over in lorries and I feel like a big blue meany ignoring messages from friends about where to take donations of clothing and tinned food! There's a photo of people queueing round the block with bags and bags of stuff, and FB groups being set up to sew teddies in the colours of the Ukrainian flag to send to children etc etc. So clearly the message isn't "out there" at all, even if you've read up on it and found the answer.

Of course the big name charities are going to say to donate to them, the same as individuals collecting and hiring a lorry are going to say it's best to donate to them instead. It's hard to know what the best thing really is. Is there any place for small scale donations of goods (like we are seeing at all the local churches) or is it always inappropriate?

OP posts:
gogohm · 01/03/2022 15:49

The distance isn't that far and there's an urgent need for certain items therefore it's economic to truck them - here a truck left this morning for Poland, the driver has a pick up in eastern Germany on Friday morning so it's not that much further, the company offered to truck for free and our community filled it with items the partner org in Poland requested, nappies, calpol, warm clothing, sleeping bags, formula and bottles and first aid items basically.

oncemoreunto · 01/03/2022 15:50

I decided to give money to JKR's charity, it has been working in Ukraine for a good while now and are running a special appeal.
I don't see her spending the money on herself or buying sex with it.
They support vulnerable children in foster care situations.

EdithStourton · 01/03/2022 16:19

@Bonheurdupasse

www.defendukraine.org/donate

This is what I would recommend (various Ukraine orgs not just army), please research it.

Thank you for that. We've just sent funds to the army.
Dmsandfloatydress · 01/03/2022 16:20

My friends in Poland say that they have too much stuff already as Polish people are falling over themselves to donate goods . Piles of it will be wasted. Donate money instead.

Original poster
YforWanky · 01/03/2022 16:58

@Dmsandfloatydress

My friends in Poland say that they have too much stuff already as Polish people are falling over themselves to donate goods . Piles of it will be wasted. Donate money instead.
So this is what I mean... Contrast your post with what gogohm said a few posts up!
OP posts:
Bonheurdupasse · 01/03/2022 17:04

@EdithStourton
Thank you.

ThreeRingCircus · 01/03/2022 17:10

If you can donate money, the cash isn't going to hurt. I've donated to the Red Cross and UNICEFs Ukraine appeals.

BessAndCress · 01/03/2022 17:16

@GodspeedJune

I want to send money but don’t know where to. I don’t trust the big charities with their huge running and staff costs.
Check if the charity's appeal is restricted to the Ukraine. Emergency appeals like this usually are. It's non-emergency appeals - the kinds of charity letters and ads you see year-round that aren't related to something urgent in the news - that are more likely to be unrestricted (which means they can be used for running costs as well as any area of their work). There will always be wording to the effect of "donations will fund all areas of our work" if that's the case.

There's also a lot to be said for the importance of running costs and staff costs - a big charity couldn't function well without them - but that's another story

JaneJeffer · 01/03/2022 17:19

I do not think sending a load of grubby second hand clothes will be particularly welcome
I doubt the OP was going to send grubby clothes but if anyone has second hand clothes in good condition the refugees in Calais will gladly take them.

Original poster
YforWanky · 01/03/2022 17:25

@JaneJeffer

I do not think sending a load of grubby second hand clothes will be particularly welcome I doubt the OP was going to send grubby clothes but if anyone has second hand clothes in good condition the refugees in Calais will gladly take them.
People do though... I've volunteered in a charity shop and people send dirty clothes in donation bags. I once opened a bag to find a pair of knickers complete with blood stained sanitary towel attached!!
OP posts:
CallyfromBlakes7 · 01/03/2022 17:27

@JaneJeffer

I do not think sending a load of grubby second hand clothes will be particularly welcome I doubt the OP was going to send grubby clothes but if anyone has second hand clothes in good condition the refugees in Calais will gladly take them.
There have been a couple of threads on here about how rubbish some of the donations to charity shops are, and people will think that refugees will use anything and dump any kind of rubbish. Just because you're a refugee doesn't mean you want dirty clothes. Clean nearly new clothes are ok - I buy second hand clothes myself.
JaneJeffer · 01/03/2022 17:27

Ugh

JaneJeffer · 01/03/2022 17:30

Of course refugees don't want dirty clothes. Why does everyone think people will only donate dirty clothes? If you have good, CLEAN, clothes suitable for young men send them to Calais charities is what I'm saying! Not dirty, grubby things.

sheeplikessleep · 01/03/2022 17:35

I bought some new pants in different sizes and different sanitary boxes on my shopping and gave to a local collection. Though they asked for non perishable food, blankets and warm clothes.

It’s hard to know what to do isn’t it when there are so many different sources. But thanks to those who have posted up reputable charities as well.

Iluvfriends · 01/03/2022 17:43

To the person that made the comment about grubby second hand clothes, i have 4 bags of clothes that are in no way grubby and some still have labels on them.

Should i just put them in the bin.

Aprexio · 01/03/2022 17:45

I was about to start a similar thread. My social media feeds are full of virtue signalling posts with businesses and the like contributing to lorries of clothing etc to be driven to Poland.

Great material for social media pictures I'm sure, but the less photogenic bank transfer to a reputable charity is surely better. Finding such a charity might be tricky though.

Clymene · 01/03/2022 17:50

JK Rowling's Lumos charity is raising money to support orphans:

www.wearelumos.org/

100% of donations go to supporting their work - she pays for the overheads.

Hotcuppatea · 01/03/2022 17:50

Send money. We have no way of knowing what's needed on the ground on any given day. Many people will just need cash.

I'll never forget those mountains of second hand clothes that piled up after Grenfell. Why people thought that someone would want their second hand shit when new clothes are so cheap is beyond me. It was a massive ball ache for all concerned to sort out the thousands of weather-spoiled cast offs and send them to charities/land fill.

BessAndCress · 01/03/2022 17:51

@Iluvfriends

To the person that made the comment about grubby second hand clothes, i have 4 bags of clothes that are in no way grubby and some still have labels on them.

Should i just put them in the bin.

No, give them to a charity shop, if you don't want them. If you send them to Ukraine there's probably little chance they will be used. It's not efficient to send goods that way, even though I know it satisfies that normal human instinct to want to reach out directly and personally.
Iluvfriends · 01/03/2022 17:55

BessAndCress

Couldn't quote you.
Fair enough, i just wanted to do something and i'm not in a position to donate money just now.

BessAndCress · 01/03/2022 18:01

@Iluvfriends

BessAndCress

Couldn't quote you.
Fair enough, i just wanted to do something and i'm not in a position to donate money just now.

That's understandable, it's such a normal and good instinct. Maybe you could pick a charity shop belonging to a charity that works in Ukraine, like Red Cross, and then there's a chance that the proceeds might go there. Even if the money goes to general funds, that might still support the charity in responding quickly to Ukraine.
wejammin · 01/03/2022 19:20

Oh I'm not sure what to do now - someone from my office is coordinating collections from a charity that is taking a van to Poland on Friday, so I've gone through all the kids stuff and pulled out some warm hats, gloves, snow boots that I'd put aside for the youngest, 2 coats, a few teddies. All in good condition. I genuinely don't have a spare pound this month, but I don't want to think that in trying the help I'm adding to the problems!

LadyOfMisrule · 01/03/2022 19:30

I've sent money to the Red Cross and UNHCR so they can buy what they need right now. I was uncertain about sending clothes or goods as they will take time to get there.

Original poster
YforWanky · 01/03/2022 19:31

@wejammin

Oh I'm not sure what to do now - someone from my office is coordinating collections from a charity that is taking a van to Poland on Friday, so I've gone through all the kids stuff and pulled out some warm hats, gloves, snow boots that I'd put aside for the youngest, 2 coats, a few teddies. All in good condition. I genuinely don't have a spare pound this month, but I don't want to think that in trying the help I'm adding to the problems!
I'm still unsure as to whether sending clothes is actually needed or not tbh Confused There's just conflicting opinions wherever I look! I definitely wouldn't send teddies though, they're just not useful. I know it feels nice to think of displaced children having a soft toy but I just think places will be inundated with them and the costs involved with transporting and storing them can't be sensible use of funds...
OP posts: