Will your agency dig deep? Plea for industry to donate to Ukraine

A prominent estate agency figure is urging the industry to dig deep to help the Ukrainian humanitarian effort.

Arun Group managing director Aldo Sotgiu says: “The whole civilised world has been appalled by what is happening in Ukraine. Like everyone else, we have been moved by the terrible events there, and this is one way – perhaps the only way – we can help, helping to provide funds for much-needed humanitarian support for the brave Ukrainian people in their time of need.”

He continues: “Last year was a record-breaker for us here at Arun, but it was also a pretty good year for estate agency generally, so I believe it behoves us all to put our hands in our pockets and give as much as we can.”

Arun is donating £50,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal - considered the most effective way of helping refugees affected by the Russian invasion.

It is the second agency to dig deep for this cause.

Last week Brown & Co - the 13-branch agency covering the East of England, Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber - gave £50,000 and pledged to help find jobs and accommodation within their own and client businesses for up to 100 Ukrainian nationals who want to live and work in this country – if permitted to do so by the British government.

Here is the UK government’s advice on how to help Ukraine.

Financial donations

If you want to donate money, there are a number of charities providing humanitarian relief in Ukraine.

Donate to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal

Make your donation safely

There are lots of organisations across the UK and internationally who have launched appeals, and you may wish to donate through these organisations instead. There are some simple steps you can take to ensure your money is safe and being used effectively:

Check the charity’s name and registration number using the search the charity register tool

Most charities with an income of £5,000 or more must be registered, which means they are regulated by The Charity Commission

Make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information

If in doubt, ask the charity or organisation for more information

Donating essential supplies

One of the best ways to help is by donating cash through trusted charities and aid organisations, rather than donating goods. Cash can be transferred quickly to areas where it is needed and individuals and aid organisations can use it to buy what is most needed. Unsolicited donations of goods, although well-meant, can obstruct supply chains and delay more urgent life-saving assistance from getting through.

Organisations across the UK are gathering essential supplies, such as clothes, first aid and sanitary products. Many charities and community groups will have lists of items they need.

Charities with experience of responding to disasters are best placed to reach victims on the ground.

Apply to be a sponsor

The government will be launching a new sponsorship scheme to make sure that Ukrainians who have been forced to flee their homes have a route to safety.

The scheme will match people, charities, businesses and community groups to Ukrainians who do not have family ties to the UK.

Details of the scheme and how you can apply will be published shortly by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.