We are currently collecting humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Identified by our Ukraine partner, our essential aid list is listed below. Please note, items must be within their sell by date, with at least a six-month shelf life for all food items. Please contact us at roger@hopeandaiddirect.org.uk or on 0300 102 4673 if you wish to donate items in bulk, currently not on our list.
As at 24th May, 2025
PRIORITY ITEMS INBOLD
Dried Food:
Flour (better big bags20-25kg/bag)/buckwheat
Pasta/rice
Legumes (beans, chickpeas, lentils)
Black tea
Instant soups
Energy bars/chocolate bars
Emergency or camping rations
No baby milk/formula required currently -will advise when this changes
Tinned food and Condiments: (that can be eaten hot or cold)
Lunchmeat/fish
Vegetables
Beans and pulses
Pate
Marmalade
Sugar
Oil (sunflower/rapeseed)
Toiletries & Sanitary:
Soap
Shampoo
Lice shampoo
Shower Gel
Toothpaste/toothbrushes
Washing Powder
Clothing:
Winter warm coats - NEW OR GOOD CONDITION SECOND HAND
Spring/summer light wear clothing including rainwear - NEW ONLY
Underwear – all ages ladies and men - NEW ONLY with bras the exception
Sanitary
Sanitary pads/tampons
Nappies; all sizes except new born
Incontinence Pads
Bedding
Blankets – all types including knitted and fleece blankets, single bed size preferable
Sleeping bags in stuff sacks/roll up mattresses
Sundry:
Portable Generators – any portable size wanted – new or used
Torches and Solar powered lights – new or used
Disposable spoons
Bowls (for soup) and mugs - stainless steel ideally, or strong plastic bowls/mugs
Waterproof mattress covers/pads (traumatized children)
Camping mats (yoga type)
Power banks for charging phones
Water Purification Tablets
**Please note -the needs list that we are being given by our partners is constantly changing and with this in mind it is possible that some of the aid that is collected for Ukraine will need to be used for other humanitarian projects such as Greece or Calais**
We continue to deliver a large amount of aid this year with now over 80 trucks mostly going to Ukraine.
New import restrictions apply for delivery of aid, so we do need to be specific with regards to the items we take so please note the details above. In addition to aid, of course we continue to need volunteers and financial donations. Please also sign up for our newsletter to keep informed of the aid we are delivering for you.
We have been fortunate to have been supported by some major corporate partners such as Whitbread/Premier Inn that has allowed for bulk aid to be sent, helping hundreds of families. If you belong to a corporate that you think could offer bulk items, please get in touch.
How goods are packed is essential. Without the correct packing, transportation becomes complicated and often results in us having to repack goods which takes up valuable time and resources. Therefore we request that goods are ideally packed in Banana boxes. These boxes are pictured below and can be obtained from many supermarkets or farm shops. If these are not available strong and uniform size boxes can be used.
Each box must be written or labelled on ALL FOUR sides and top with information - what products are in the box and ideally how many pieces.
How we receive aid will often depend on the quantity that you have for us. Whilst truck size donations can sometimes be collected ahead of loads going to their final destination for the most part aid should be delivered to a DROP OFF POINT or to our Basildon warehouse. We would strongly suggest that you have a conversation with us or your local drop off manager before starting an aid collection to ensure that the logistics work and to ensure that your collection will be successful.
If you are corporate entity, we always need bulk goods and surplus supplies. Whether branding changes, slight imperfections, damaged packaging or changed market forces, we will always be interested and thrilled to hear from you. Please contact our trustee and Head of Operations, Charles Storer MBE
If you would prefer to donate money, then you can donate here.
We couldn’t help anyone without your support. During the past 25 years, since we started Hope and Aid Direct, you have donated over 2,000 tons of aid that we have saved from landfill. In addition to our current work in Ukraine we have funded the transportation and distribution of this aid to people in desperate need in Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Romania, Greece, Syria, Philippines, Sri Lanka, France and here in the UK –THANK YOU SO MUCH!
