Forden-based Ukraine appeal calls it a day after raising £43,000

A Forden-based woman who launched a charity to provide immediate support for families fleeing war in Ukraine has ended her fundraising campaign after an astonishing £43,350 was collected.

Jane Morgan was horrified to see the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, forcing around eight million people to flee the country within a year, with many finding their way to Wales.

She launched ‘Buy and Sell UK - 100% to the DEC Ukraine Appeal’, allowing people to sell items on Facebook with the money raised going to the national response to the crisis.

The Disasters Emergency Response initially said they would run until the end of May 2024, so Jane brought an end to her fundraising page at the weekend.

“We’ve raised a whopping £43,350 since I set up the group in March 2022,” said Jane.

“I’d like to say a huge thank-you to everyone in Welshpool and surrounding areas who’s helped us to get to this amazing total.”

The DEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) has now extended their fundraising efforts to the end of July with the ongoing war seeing the horrors continue, and worsen, in Eastern Ukraine.

A new page has been temporarily set up to continue to allow local people to raise money or donate - https://www.facebook.com/groups/422444370504382.

“The DEC had said that the appeal was, subject to change, ending on May 31 - that would have given them enough to fund planned aid in Ukraine through to January 2025,” Jane explained.

“Then, we heard shortly before the group’s planned finish, that it is now extended until the end of July. By then a commitment had already been made to the smaller charities being supported by the new group.

“So, we will be accepting donations to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal in exchange for goods until the end of July in the new group.”

The DEC has raised an incredible £426 million since its launch over two years ago.