the uk response to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has been truly extraordinary

Individual fundraisers, community groups, academic institutions, employees and companies, arts organisations, trusts and foundations, celebrities and sports clubs all dedicated time and effort to raise money for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Thanks to your support, we set a new Guinness World Record for the most money raised online in one week (£61,997,547) when we launched the appeal. A year on, that figure has risen to over £400 million.

Here’s a snapshot of some of that incredible support.

From the arts...

The appeal was supported by major arts organisations from around the UK, including The Royal Opera House which raised £400,000, while Ukrainian ballet stars performed at the Coliseum. Michael Palin joined an ‘Orchestra for Peace’ whose members included Ukrainian refugees, for a reading of Peter and the Wolf in Covent Garden.

...to sport

The English and Welsh Football Associations, England and Cymru national football teams and English Premier League football clubs all did their bit to highlight the appeal. British Airways and the Rugby Football Union arranged a collection at Twickenham Stadium as England faced Ireland in the Six Nations.

and business backing...

The DEC received incredible support from a wide range of UK businesses, with employee fundraising, donations and pro-bono support. The DEC partnership with NatWest Group raised over £10 million, while the Royal Mail added a postmark stamped on letters to highlight the appeal.

Philanthropic trusts and foundations also played a significant role, giving more than £15 million in the first six months of the appeal.

...to fundraising heroes

But the real stars of the appeal were members of the public who raised money in different and creative ways, showing extraordinary generosity. From bake sales to book readings, craft fairs to ceilidhs, fundraisers up and down the country did whatever they could in aid of people affected by the conflict.

• School pupils from St Matthew’s Roman Catholic School in Manchester released an uplifting take on New Order’s 1981 song ‘Ceremony’ while other schools participated in sponsored walks, scoots, dances and haircuts. 
• In May 2022, a team of 10 cyclists started out on an epic challenge to cycle from Sandbanks, UK to St Tropez, France in just 10 days, raising almost £22,000 for the appeal. 
• Over the summer, Danny Newman ran 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, raising £4,237, while Paul Thompson and Sarah Wooton kayaked around Ireland, raising £23,000.
• In Scotland, a Ukrainian Bakery in Glasgow made headlines after raising £100,000 from the local community.
• School pupils from St Matthew’s Roman Catholic School in Manchester released an uplifting take on New Order’s 1981 song ‘Ceremony’ while other schools participated in sponsored walks, scoots, dances and haircuts. 
• In May 2022, a team of 10 cyclists started out on an epic challenge to cycle from Sandbanks, UK to St Tropez, France in just 10 days, raising almost £22,000 for the appeal.
• Over the summer, Danny Newman ran 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, raising £4,237, while Paul Thompson and Sarah Wooton kayaked around Ireland, raising £23,000.
• In Scotland, a Ukrainian Bakery in Glasgow made headlines after raising £100,000 from the local community. 

Concert for Ukraine

On 29 March 2022 a fundraising concert at the Resorts World Arena, Birmingham was broadcast live to an audience of 3.6 million people. The star-studded show, which featured Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Emeli Sandé and Snow Patrol among others, raised a whopping £13.4 million.

Thank you!

Every donation has helped DEC member charities and their partners to deliver vital aid. For the people being helped, amid an ongoing conflict, it is a reminder that they are not alone, and not forgotten, even by those they have never met. 

The DEC is sincerely grateful to everyone who donated, who organised friends, families, colleagues and local communities to show support for people affected by this the conflict in Ukraine.

Thank you so much - you have been truly amazing.