Two men from Hackney have gone back to Ukraine as the Russian invasion marks its fourth year, bringing a fresh focus for their fundraising efforts.
Simon Cole and David Vannen, who were highlighted in the Hackney Gazette in 2023 following their journey to deliver aid to the conflict-affected nation, have returned to western Ukraine to keep supporting grassroots groups working on the front lines of humanitarian assistance.
Their initiative, By Hand Ukraine, operates on a straightforward principle — directing donors’ money straight to where it’s needed so contributors can see precisely how their funds are used.
In the same towns and villages they knew from before, the pair purchased necessities at a shelter housing families who fled from eastern Ukraine, where certain women and children have now spent four lengthy years away from their homes. At another facility, while buying coal for heating, they spoke with Ukrainians whose existence has been on hold since the 2022 invasion began.
“It’s not our fault, we never asked for this,” one woman expressed to them.
The pair also devoted time to volunteering at a convent and renewing connections with the individuals who had hosted them during their initial visit. Once more, they were moved by the remarkable community effort undertaken by regular Ukrainians to care for one another despite tremendous losses and ongoing instability.
One local contact, a 38-year-old volunteer, explained the everyday battle: “Because of the missiles all over the country, our hospitals and most important infrastructure are suffering, leaving us without basic things for survival. Doctors are saving lives in the hardest conditions, while our defenders are sacrificing everything to keep our country free.”
On this recent trip, the pair stayed in accommodation reconstructed following a missile attack. They encountered regular air-raid warnings and power cuts, though observed how Lviv’s inhabitants have adjusted to this uneasy pattern, living in near-constant readiness despite the looming threat of assault.
The men continued their close work with their Ukrainian coordinator, a driver and interpreter who assists them in making local connections. “I do what I can to help people. Alone we are losers, but together we are strong,” he stated.
Mr Cole and Mr Vannen stressed that returning was about more than just collecting funds.
“We think it was important to go back and show that we haven’t forgotten them,” Vannen stated. They also toured several memorials commemorating those who died in the conflict — solemn reminders of the human toll of the war.
A significant portion of the money for this journey came from donations by patrons at Grow Hackney, a local social enterprise bar and venue. Having demonstrated that their approach works, the pair are now broadening their mission with a fresh project.
“Our contacts have connected us to the Harmony Centre, where children — including some displaced from the east — are coping with conditions such as cerebral palsy,” Mr Cole explained. “The therapy chairs they need are made in a factory run by workers who are deaf and mute, so the project supports people at multiple levels.”
As they departed the country, a host who had provided them with food and lodging made an earnest request: “Please don’t forget about us. We are fighting for our survival and independence. Our war is not yet over.”
To contribute to their latest campaign, More Than a Chair: Hope, visit https://chuffed.org/project/more-than-a-chair-hope. You can read Vannen’s reflections on his travels at https://davidvannenukraine.substack.com and follow their journey on social media on Facebook and Instagram.