A CITY crisis group that has sent dozens of aid lorries to war-torn Ukraine is being forced to close its warehouse after failing to secure funding.
Help for Ukraine, based on the Three Elms Trading Estate in Hereford, was set up by Olga Tverdokhlib in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
What began as a Facebook group quickly grew into a major humanitarian operation, with the warehouse officially opening on March 6, 2022. Since then, volunteers have helped send 40 lorries packed with aid to Ukraine.
As refugees began arriving in Herefordshire volunteers began collecting household goods to support those starting new lives in the county.
Earlier this year, the group widened its support further, helping not only Ukrainians but also other refugees, homeless people and struggling families.
The building must be emptied by January 31, 2027, with the contents of the warehouse set to be sold.
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Money raised through the sale and donations will be used to purchase another ambulance for Ukraine. The group has already bought and sent two ambulances this year, while any remaining funds will go towards buying generators.
The group's annual Christmas box appeal for Ukrainian children will also continue, with November 21 marking the final date for donations this year. Around 2,000 Christmas boxes have been sent since the project began.
Ms Tverdokhlib said: "I will definitely miss the people. It's the volunteers who come every day, it's the donors who came with their donations, and always have good feedback, and support Ukraine.
"I will miss it as a place of happiness, because when a refugee is receiving the aid, they always have a big smile because it's for free."
She added: "Ukraine has previously been known as a working nation, they work and earn their own money and buy the stuff. But after the full invasion they lost most of it, and some people lost everything."
Ms Tverdokhlib said there were around 100 Ukrainians living in Herefordshire before the war, compared with approximately 2,000 today.
Although the warehouse is closing, the group plans to continue supporting people through community events, workshops and English language classes. The group has also been offered free use of Hinton Community Centre as it begins its next chapter.
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