In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a group of compassionate individuals in Swindon couldn’t stand idly by. The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) was born, aiming to provide essential aid to those affected by the conflict.
Over the course of 17 months, SHAP has collected, sorted, boxed, and delivered over 950 tonnes of aid to Eastern Ukraine, making a significant impact in the war-torn region.
Despite being a small organisation, SHAP has proven to be mighty. Their dedicated board, comprised of both British and Ukrainian members, along with the support of local volunteers, has been instrumental in their success. Having former Directors of Ukrainian and Polish Chambers of Commerce on their board brings valuable expertise to their operations.
To ensure transparency and minimise corruption risks, SHAP establishes direct partnerships with trusted charities and foundations in Ukraine. Beyond aid deliveries, they provide crucial support to Ukrainian visitors in Swindon, assisting with housing, education, benefit applications, and facilitating their integration into the UK system.
Through extensive media coverage, SHAP continues to shed light on the ongoing tragedy in Ukraine, reminding the public of the urgent need for assistance. Their “Candles for Ukraine” campaign, which provides alternative sources of heat and light in areas with limited electricity, has garnered national attention and sparked conversations about the state of Europe in the 21st century.
Recently, SHAP has had the privilege of attending important meetings with key figures such as Lord Tony Berkeley and General Sir Mike Jackson. These connections have opened doors for SHAP, paving the way for collaborations and further opportunities to make a difference.
The organisation’s latest achievement is the conversion of buses into mobile field hospitals and educational facilities. The first bus, equipped with hospital beds, monitors, and more, was handed over to the Ukrainian Ambassador outside the Palace of Westminster. SHAP’s tireless volunteers are currently driving the converted bus from Swindon to Ukraine, where they will be utilised by civilian and military personnel.
The future looks promising for SHAP’s bus conversion projects. The second bus, aptly named “The Story Bus,” will provide children with fun, educational experiences through books and toys. Meanwhile, plans for the third bus involve creating a mobile medical facility to raise awareness about early signs of cancer.
The group has generously been offered 40 more buses from around the UK to convert for use in Ukraine however the conversion and delivery of this many busses would cost around £100,000 – this when the group has just around £2,000 in its bank account.
To continue their impactful work, SHAP urgently requires funding. Sadly, they are ineligible to apply for support from the UK Government’s Disaster Emergency Committee Fund, which limits their access to essential resources. The organisation operates solely on the generosity of individuals and businesses willing to contribute to their cause.
Talking about the lack of funding opportunities SHAP Chairman Mike Bowden said “The one issue that holds us back and constrains our work is a lack of funding.
“We are not allowed to apply for money from the UK Government’s Disaster Emergency Committee Fund – which receives substantial donations from the British public and British businesses – as we are not one of ‘The Big Ten’.
“This seems to unfairly penalise small organisations such as SHAP.”
As the dedicated team of SHAP stands resilient, their enthusiasm, determination, and commitment shine through. They will persist in their mission to provide aid and support as long as it is needed.
If anyone would like to make a donation to SHAP their bank details are:
The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership
Lloyds Bank -Old Town Swindon
UK Bank Sort Code – 30-98-97
Account Number -74254962
