Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a group of individuals in Swindon acted quickly and efficiently to organise themselves and provide aid to those affected.
With the support of the Swindon community through donations, the group, known as the Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP), has now delivered over 800 tonnes of aid to Ukraine, utilising huge articulated trucks for transportation.
In addition to aid delivery, SHAP has been providing support to the increasing number of refugees in the Swindon area. This includes assisting with doctor and dentist registrations, benefit and job applications, school and university applications, and rent guarantees.
Two recent initiatives have compelled SHAP to apply for formal charitable status, opting for the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) route.
The first campaign, “Candles for Ukraine,” garnered national news coverage and resulted in tens of thousands of candles being sent to SHAP for onward delivery to Ukraine.
The second initiative involved the delivery of SHAP’s first of several dozen expected single decker buses, which will be converted into a mobile field hospital and driven to Ukraine.
SHAP has formed alliances with other like-minded organisations in recent weeks to ensure that aid efforts for Ukraine are coordinated, efficient, and effective.
The partnership with initiatives in the Hungerford, Chilton Foliat, and Kintbury areas has been particularly impressive. This past Tuesday, the third Ukrainian donation event was held in Chilton Foliat, with an overwhelming response from local residents who generously provided much-needed aid of all kinds.
The impact of SHAP’s work has surpassed that of a typical local charity, with regional and national significance on the horizon.
Despite the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, SHAP’s efforts continue to provide aid to those in need.
