The appeal was previously launched to support the resettlement of Afghan families and other refugees successful raising and quickly distributing £23,513.70 to local charities and community groups working directly with Afghan refugees including Northamptonshire Emergency Response Corps and Northampton Town of Sanctuary. The Foundation received generous donations from the public and local donors including Archways Estate Agents and Barratt Homes. The funding enabled community groups and charities to provide a direct and broad range of assistance and support, from the provision of essential items to family and social support.

Northamptonshire Community Foundation Deputy CEO Rachel McGrath, who is co-ordinating the newly launched appeal said:

"We have been working with community foundation colleagues across Europe including the Ukraine. We have seen the response on the ground by community foundations in the Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania and how they have mobilised volunteers and collected funds to provide immediate relief and to aid refugees. Community Foundations in the UK are also playing their part in that emergency response and that it why we are launching our Welcome Fund appeal. We want to ensure community groups and charities preparing to welcome Ukrainian refugees have access to funds and resources to ensure families and individuals fleeing the conflict and violence are made to feel welcome, safe and well. We welcome the care, concern and generosity of local people and donors at this time. These funds are so urgently and desperately needed to support the resettlement response on the ground and enable charities to provide a safety net in resettlement."

Northamptonshire Community Foundation is working alongside West Northamptonshire Unitary Authority, local councillors, faith networks and refugee support networks within the county to help play its part in a co-ordinated response and ensure grant awards reach groups and charities meeting the needs of Ukrainian families.

To find out more about our co-ordinated response to support refugees in Northamptonshire, please contact Deputy CEO: Rachel McGrath: rachel@ncf.uk.com

If you would like to donate to the urgent appeal please go online to: Northamptonshire Welcome Fund - JustGiving

If you are an organisation or local business wishing to make a donation and find out more please visit the Foundation’s website or contact Dean Jones, Head of Giving & Development: dean@ncf.uk.com