Pub owner raises £3,000 in one day to send clothes and gear to Ukrainians in need

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Pete Gilbert, who owns a pub in Buckinghamshire, said he couldn’t stand by in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and had organized a vital supply run

A pub boss has raised £3,000 in one day to buy clothes and supplies to send to Ukrainians in need Russian invasion last Thursday.

After the Russian invasion, many Ukrainians asked for gear to help them protect themselves and stay as healthy as possible.

About 2,000 Ukrainian Civilians have been killed in wars so far.

When the war broke out, Pete Gilbert, 46 – who owns it Potters Arms pub in Amersham – knew he had to do something to help.

“I feel so strong about the whole thing,” he said. “It is absolutely outrageous what is happening out there. What does it mean when parts of the world become an unlivable place – I had to help.”

Pete’s boyfriend, Mariusz Fultyn, is originally from Poland and regularly makes 15-hour journeys from the UK in his van to deliver goods like water, food, baby wipes and nappies to neighbours Ukraine.

Mariusz gave Pete a list of items that were urgently needed in Ukraine, including military clothing, boots, first aid kits and more.

Pete started asking friends in a cryptocurrency group to donate cash – and in one day raised £3,000 from 92 people.

Pete then visited army stockpiles and bought supplies – including boots, clothing and harnesses for 30 Ukrainian fighters.

Transport is delivered to White Eagle Club, a Polish center in Balham, London, where it is forwarded to Ukraine.

“All of these people lined up to join the resistance, but they need to be equipped,” Pete said.

Pete said he has land in Hayes, London, which he will also make available to Ukrainian refugees.

“I’m keeping it open for free to any Ukrainian families who come by,” he continued.

Articles that Ukrainians urgently need and how to donate

That’s what the White Eagle Club says accept donations and that among the most needed items are batteries, flashlights, clothing, shoes, diapers, dry hygienic clothing, thermal clothing, gloves and painkillers.

Other necessities are duvets, blankets, sleeping bags and pillows.

The club have seen Brits queue around the block to donate items to help Ukrainians.

Another list sent to Pete states that Ukrainians also need:

• helmets
• drones
• Bulletproof vest
• thermovisors
• binoculars
• Walkie-Talkies, specifically Motorola XT460
• Osprey body armor vests, models SK1, SK2, SK3 and SK4
• Toiletries, diapers, shower gel, shampoo and baby wipes
• wound dressings
• army clothing
• First Aid Kits

The following charities are also helping in the country at the moment.

military support

• come back alive – Kyiv-based charity that raises funds for the country’s armed forces. It supplies military personnel with special software and protective equipment, as well as food and ammunition.
• Army SOS – “We deliver all goods directly to the unit’s position and hand them over directly to our warriors.”

Humanitarian Assistance

Meanwhile, a partnership of Ukrainian church organisations, teaching associations and youth groups in the UK has set up the #HelpUkraine Emergency Appeal Fund here.

They explained how far their donations go with the following list:

• £8 – two rugs for individuals or shelters
• £23 – A month’s worth of food and hygiene kit for one adult or 30 thermal foil blankets for emergencies
• £70 – A food and hygiene kit for a family of four for a month
• £500 – For crisis counseling and support services and children’s services
• £1,500 – A basic emergency medication pack for 1,000 people for three months
• £3,700 – Medical and pharmaceutical package for 10,000 people for three months

Local Journalism

• Kyiv independent – Clear information is crucial at times like these and the Kyiv Independent has deployed its journalists to bring timely and verifiable information to the people. This is especially difficult when troops are attacking their surroundings from a country notoriously tough on dissenting voices