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As the world continues to look on in horror at the violence Russia has rained down upon the people of Ukraine, many have been desperately trying to find useful ways to help from afar. Wanting to show their support to those still in the midst of the turmoil, one group of Ukrainian-Irish people in Ireland have come together to form Action4Ukraine.
First meeting at Trinity College Dublin, where they are all students, the group’s four founders – Andiry Babiy, Yuriy Kovalchuk, Daryna Kushnir and Donnacha Binchy – quickly put their heads together to brainstorm what they could do. Settling upon an online raffle and private auction as the best way to raise funds and mobilise support, the ticketed event is scheduled to take place both online and in-person in the Regent House in TCD, this Friday at 5:50 pm.
Still with many of their own friends and family members living near to the violence, Andriy’s wife, Sofia, is amongst those who remain in Ukraine. “I got engaged and moved back to Ukraine to live in Lviv with my spouse. However, I came back to Dublin a few weeks ago to finish getting my driving licence. Now, I am trying to do everything in my power to assist Ukraine in the war and return to my spouse Sofia,” Andriy explained. “It is obviously tough with me being here and her there, although she is safe and we’re both doing our best to help the war effort; her in her local town of Brody, and me here online.”
All proceeds from Action4Ukraine’s virtual auction will go directly to the Red Cross Ukrainian fund, who are currently on the ground in Ukraine working to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities and help families with life-saving food and hygiene items. Forming part of the largest humanitarian aid organisation in the world, The Red Cross Movement, has 97 million members worldwide and continues delivering lifesaving support to vulnerable people and communities both at home and abroad.
Currently, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has 3,000 volunteers and 550 staff working across the country in 280 local branches and 24 regional branches. It activated its Emergency Operations Centre on the 14th January.
“We chose to donate money to the Red Cross because they rescue civilians from dangerous areas and reinstate vital infrastructures such as water supplies and electricity. Without this help, so many more people would perish and it would be very difficult to protect the country,” Daryna commented.
A number of items have very generously been donated for the group to raffle off with prizes including Mór Irish Gin vouchers, Bingo Loco tickets, paintings from local artists, hotel stays and a signed Hugo McNeil Irish Rugby jersey amongst other things. There will also be live music on the night with a performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music.
The virtual auction will have a limited capacity of 1000 people, with donors receiving their prizes once proof of donation to the Red Cross is confirmed. Tickets for the event will be €10, which will be counted towards the raffle, and go on sale tomorrow.
You can follow the group’s Instagram page @Action4Ukraine for more information on the event.