We have agreed a further £1,000 grant to Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid, building on the earlier donation this year to support their continuing work with communities affected by the war in Ukraine.  Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid is a small, non‑governmental organisation based in Huddersfield, run entirely by volunteers who collect humanitarian aid and deliver it to trusted partners across Ukraine.

Who Huddersfield to Ukraine are and what they do

The group was set up by local volunteers, including Rotarian Tim Marsden and colleagues, in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Since 2022 they have organised multiple convoys carrying many tonnes of aid from Huddersfield to the Polish–Ukrainian border, where shipments are met and accompanied into Ukraine and distributed to areas including Lviv, Kherson, Dnipro and Ivano‑Frankivsk.

Donations from local people and organisations are sorted, packed and loaded by volunteers, with consignments typically including:

·         Medical equipment and supplies for hospitals and clinics.

·         Clothing, thermal layers and specialist knitted items such as woollen socks and hats for people facing harsh winter conditions.

·         Hygiene products, dried and tinned food, baby milk and other essentials for families and displaced people.

Appeals such as the “sock and beanie” campaign, run with partners in the crafting community, have supplied thousands of warm items specifically requested to help prevent cold‑related injuries such as trench foot. Throughout, the group has focused on sending what is asked for by contacts in Ukraine, and on making sure that aid is delivered into the hands of those who need it most.

How the additional £1,000 will help

Transport costs for each convoy are significant, covering vehicle hire, fuel, ferries, tolls and associated logistics for journeys of more than a thousand miles. Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid relies entirely on donations and local fundraising – including events, appeals and an online GoFundMe – to meet these costs and to continue sending aid on a regular basis.

The Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge’s earlier grant contributed to a consignment of cold‑weather essentials such as head torches, hand and foot warmers and thermal socks for families and older people living in sub‑zero conditions, often in basements or damaged homes with limited power. This new £1,000 grant will bolster that support by helping to fund upcoming transport and priority purchases for the next shipment, turning local generosity into food, warmth, medical supplies and dignity for some of the most vulnerable people in Ukraine.

Why the Club is continuing its support

We have immense admiration for Tim and his dedicated group of volunteers.  The Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid initiative combines practical, hands‑on volunteering with careful stewardship of funds and direct links to communities in need. Aid is loaded and dispatched from West Yorkshire, but its impact is felt in hospitals, shelters and homes across Ukraine where people continue to endure disruption, danger and loss.

By granting a further £1,000, the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge is reaffirming its commitment to international humanitarian work and to supporting grassroots partners who can respond quickly and effectively as needs evolve. Members, friends and the wider community are encouraged to follow the group’s updates via their Facebook page, “Huddersfield to Ukraine Humanitarian Aid”, and, if they wish, to contribute directly to its appeals.

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