Packed with Hope: Campaign for children displaced by war in Ukraine
/
Two of our finest independent publishers, Little Toller Books and Bluemoose Books have just launched a campaign called PACKED WITH HOPE that we encourage our readers to support if at all possible. Already over a million people have fled the war in Ukraine and the estimates are that many more will be forced from their homes in the weeks to come. PACKED WITH HOPE is a campaign for children who have been displaced, separated from their friends and family, school and community.
On the campaign’s JustGiving page, Gracie Cooper and Kevin Duffy (Little Toller and Bluemoose respectively) write:
“With such terrible disruption to the familiar places, people and routine of their lives, we are hoping to offer just a little comfort and escape, especially as they try to settle for bedtime. Starting with storybooks, every one of the 10,000 backpacks will be filled with a selection of items that are both comforting and essential, such as head torches, notepads, colouring pencils, toothbrushes, puzzles, playing cards, activity books, bags of marbles, hot water bottles, socks, hats and scarfs, reusable drinking bottles, and many other much-needed things.”
You can support them financially via the JustGiving page, and the money will be used to purchase any items that are not donated as well as the costs of transporting and distributing the 10,000 backpacks.
At the same time, PACKED WITH HOPE are looking to mobilise a volunteer network in Dorset, as well as sourcing books and all the other items listed above. If there are any publishers reading this, or others who think they might be able to help, then please use the contact information that can be found on the campaign press release.