We are currently collecting humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Identified by our Ukraine partner, our essential aid list is listed below.
List correct as at 16th September 2025
DRIED FOOD
Any type of dry food but especially - Flour, Buckwheat, Pasta, Rice, Pulses - lentils, chickpeas, beans etc , Sugar.
Tea, Coffee, Instant Soups, Drinking Chocolate
Baby milk or formula not required at present
TINNED FOOD
Almost any type of tinned or in jar food but especially - Lunch-meat,
Fish (sardines, mackerel, tuna)
Vegetables including tinned potatoes.
Beans, Pate, Marmalade, Jam, Marmalade, Oil (sunflower, rapeseed)
Condiments
Preferably items that can be eaten hot or cold. Glass is ok, but please avoid very small glass jars.
OTHER FOOD
Energy/cereal bars,
Chocolate bars, Camping or emergency rations.
Pasta sauces and similar to add interest to rice & pasta
TOILETRIES
Shower Gel, Shampoo, Bodywash, Handwash, Soap bars, Lice shampoo, Toothpaste and brushes, Wash flannels, Towels, Deodorant, Disposable razors and shaving gel, combs, hair brushes.
We prefer toiletries in regular or family size containers rather than small airline or hotel sizes. We do not seek cosmetics.
BABY PRODUCTS
Bottles, beakers, sterilising tablets, sheets, dummies, mittens etc
HYGIENE PRODUCTS
Female hygiene pads/tampons, wipes etc
Nappies - all sizes between 2 and 6
Incontinence products - for men and women, all sizes & types
Toilet paper/wipes, baby wipes etc
We ask that you do not donate opened packs unless they are very well re-secured.
BEDDING
Blankets - new or used knitted, woven or fleece blankets without obvious wear or excessive pilling
Bed linen - sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases and towels, new or recently laundered and in excellent condition
Sleeping bags - in their stuff sacks or otherwise tightly wrapped
Waterproof mattress pads
Duvets and pillows - recently laundered and tightly wrapped.
We cannot normally accept individual mattresses but are interested in sourcing bulk supplies of these.
CLOTHING
NEW - Almost any type of new clothing is welcome but especially - Underwear, hats, scarves and gloves, warm fleeces and outerwear, hosiery.
SECOND-HAND - the only pre-used clothing we can accept is warm or waterproof outerwear, including fleeces, coats, ski clothing and similar. Exceptionally we can take baby and toddlers clothing if as new.
We do not require mens dress shirts, suit trousers or jackets
FOOTWEAR
Trainers, hiking or work boots including protective boots for rescue squads, sensible street shoes all clean and without excessive wear and PAIRED, spare laces.
HOUSEHOLD
Washing powder, detergent, cleaning materials, sponges, tea towels
Bowls, mugs - stainless steel ideally or strong plastic
Cutlery either steel or plastic
Drinking water bottles, insulated flasks
Torches and solar powered lights and chargers.
Power banks for phones.
AA and AAA batteries
Water purification tablets
Hand tools in good condition
Hot water bottles
Rucksacks and day-packs
CAMPING GEAR
Tents - compact modern nylon tents only up to 4 person size, with everything including poles in one single bag.
Camping beds - usually canvas on steel or aluminium collapsable frame.
Airbeds - only if unused in original packaging with pump (we have no capacity to test these)
MEDICAL & MOBILITY
Wheelchairs, walkers, mobility aids including bathroom aids, medical equipment and supplies such as ostomy, catheters etc. Over-the-counter drugs that are in date.
SPECIALIST
Generators, portable or wheeled, ideally 6kva or greater
TOYS
Soft toys for young children, games and other toys or activity equipment for older children.
School items - pens, pencils, colouring or painting sets. Paper etc...
**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 90 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 use the contact details below to tell us about bulk aid on offer (minimum one pallet).
Out of respect for our recipients we ask that everything donated should be scrupulously clean and fit for continuing use. Pre-used items may be “worn but not worn-out”. Ideally all textiles should have been recently laundered, without stains or any musty odour from storage. Where applicable use-by or best-before dates should be at least 6 months ahead,
Packing - Banana Boxes - these are our preferred packing method for almost everything. Use strong paper or cardboard to line top and bottom, and label all four sides and top in marker pen. Use all the space, packing like with like, but for heavy items such as tinned food or toiletries perhaps substitute some pasta or maybe a towel to avoid the box being excessively heavy.
For items such as incontinence packs or sleeping bags etc which do not conveniently fit a banana box perhaps use the original packaging, or consider the zipping laundry bags or donate individually. We have arrangements with some larger collectors to use builders bags for blankets, hygiene products etc.
As a last resort for appropriate items please use plastic bags which must be strong, ideally see-through, labelled and secured with a tie or cable-tie. Flimsy bin-liner type bags are never adequate for the handling the bags will get in transit. Thank you for your cooperation.
Bulk Aid - we regularly seek bulk aid in multiple pallet consignments. Please advise us if you know of the availability of bulk supplies of any of the items listed above, or of mattresses, beds and other furniture, fire extinguishers and similar that are too heavy or bulky to be included in this need list.
Contacts - to ask about suitability of anything not on the list above please message 07930 174543 , or email logistics@hopeandaiddirect.org.uk
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!
