Today, the Mail Force launches a fantastic scheme for Ukrainian children who have sought refuge in the UK after suffering the horrors of war.
The organisation is able to give hundreds of coveted spaces on week-long summer camps around the UK thanks to the generosity of their readers.
Young people will be able to participate in outdoor activities, make new friends, and practice their English thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to our plea.
As Russia’s horrific invasion proceeds, over two-thirds of Ukraine’s children have been forced to flee their homes. Men stay to battle, leaving moms to flee with their children, tearing families apart.
More than 70,000 people have been granted asylum in the United Kingdom so far, with more arriving every day.
Hundreds of thousands of compassionate Britons have already welcomed refugee families into their homes.
Now, Mail Force is assisting in the pleasant welcome.
The Mail-founded organization has raised more than £11 million for the Ukraine Refugee Appeal.
It has also secured thousands of spots at top summer camp providers across the United Kingdom.
Newly arrived Ukrainian families, or anyone acting on their behalf, such as Mail readers and host families, can book an activity course online, with the charity covering the costs.
Anna Dezyk, deputy chairman of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain, hailed the scheme, saying: ‘Hundreds of Ukrainian children are arriving in the UK every week, escaping the trauma caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
‘Everyone does their best to make them welcome and summer camps are a fantastic idea to give new arrivals a normal childhood experience as well as a great adventure, a way of making friends and practising English.
‘We applaud the Mail Force charity for making this happen, and want to help spread the word to as many Ukrainian families here in Britain as possible.’
Premier Education runs summer camps for primary school children in over 200 locations across England, where they may try out everything from athletics and arts to badminton and drama.
Kings Camps, which take place at dozens of locations across England, Scotland, and Wales, are open to children aged five to fourteen and make use of the athletic facilities of leading independent schools and colleges.
The Smile Club in Northern Ireland offers a variety of activities for children aged four to fourteen, including swimming, orienteering, and talent shows. St Mary’s Ukrainian School in London offers English language lessons, games, art therapy sessions, and day trips to children aged three to fifteen.
Andrew Busby, of Kings Camps, said: ‘We have thousands of children a year, and many come from other countries, some specifically to improve their English, so we are used to that.
‘Our camps are sports and activity based, and things are physically demonstrated to the children, so language barriers are easily overcome.’ All the summer camps are day courses, rather than residential, so children will need to sign up to one located conveniently.
Following Russia’s invasion, Mail Force started its Ukraine Refugees Appeal, and their generous readers reacted so swiftly that it became the quickest newspaper fundraiser in history.
Lord and Lady Rothermere requested a £500,000 gift from the Mail’s parent firm, DMGT, to commence the campaign.
Initially, Mail Force helped major assistance organizations on the ground, and later, the charity provided funding for desperately needed food boxes to be sent to Ukraine’s east. It currently has £1 million put aside for the summer camps program.
- Do you know a Ukrainian family whose child would like to attend a summer camp? Go to https://www.mailforcecharity.co.uk/