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The Ukraine Donation Hub hosted by the district council in Epping is on the move.
Outlet for Ukrainian refugees
As demolition work starts on the council’s adjoining Conder office block, the donation hub will continue to provide an outlet for Ukrainian refugee families arriving in the district at the other end of the Civic Offices building until the end of July. However, the drop-off point for new donations is now closed and residents are being encouraged to continue supporting the humanitarian aid effort financially through the Disasters Emergency Committee.
Tom Carne speaking for Epping Forest District Council said:
The generosity of Epping Forest residents since the start of the war in Ukraine has been amazing. Facilitated by local people led by resident Melanie Whitten, the hub has become a lifeline with donations going far and wide to Ukraine, refugees in Eastern Europe and people coming to Essex from Ukraine. Although direct donations can no longer be accepted, we will continue to support local Ukrainian families through the distribution of items already donated.
Homes for Ukraine scheme
Epping Forest District Council has inspected and passed 77 local properties under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and is also using the separate community hub within the Civic Offices to make government payments to refugee families arriving in the district. More information on support to refugees and sponsoring families is available on the council website.
Refugee families are being encouraged to contact the council to view and select donated items from the hub. Contact Ifty Abdullah on
- Call 01992 564096
- Email Iabdullah@eppingforestdc.gov.uk
Communities come together
Councillor Helen Kane at the presentation of the Civic Awards in March:
The inspiration behind the donation hub was Melanie Whitten. On seeing the devastation unfold in the Ukraine on our news outlets, Melanie was moved to do something positive to help those fleeing the invasion of their country. Melanie was the driving force in setting up the donation hub. It is at times like this that you see how a community can come together and be united for a common cause. I was amazed by the donations and hard work that all the volunteers were doing. Let us all hope that this conflict comes to an end very soon and maybe some of our donations will help those displaced or who have suffered loss.
Tom Carne continued:
We would all want to echo the words of our chairman of Council Helen Kane at the Civic Awards and pay tribute to Mel and all the local volunteers. They are a fantastic group who have done a wonderful job. In just a few days at the start of the crisis, it was amazing to see people come together to form the donation hub, and we are also incredibly proud of the part the council played. They are now moving on to the next phase, but it has been our pleasure to support the hub in their transition.
Mr Carne added:
We know this will not be the end of the story. The donation hub transition is moving from the initial crisis mode to a sustainable long term model, but it fundamentally remains an example of the care, compassion and generosity to be found in our community. We would like to wish the volunteers our thanks and very best wishes for their future endeavours.
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