Ukraine refugees aid charity makes use of restaurant tips

The charity’s Polish-born founder, Natalia Silvester, travelled alongside managing officer Liz Charlton to an orphanage just south of Gdansk, Poland, last month.

Using money raised from 50p discretionary charges at Crepe Maison, Mrs Silvester’s business, the pair delivered clothes, shoes and gym kit gift cards for the 70 children, who ranged in age from five to 16.

‘We want to help with the necessities. We’ve been in contact with the staff to identify what is needed,’ said Mrs Silvester.

Nearly £2,000 was raised for the latest journey with £17,000 having been raised from the charges over the last year.

The site was originally a summer camp called Dom Wczasowy Wygonin, however it was transformed into an orphanage to house Ukrainian children who were evacuated from the war.

Many of those with parents had to leave them behind fighting.

‘These children have come from extremely difficult situations, when they first arrived they used to hide any food given to them because they were not fed properly,’ said Mrs Silvester.

HAG has previously worked at the site, which now includes an outdoor gym, tree-house and individual gardening patches for each of the children.

There is also a specialist doctor who helps children recover from the effects of the war, as well as classrooms, play rooms and TVs.

Many of the children are disabled, ranging from mutism to learning disabilities

Mrs Silvester said they do not let this set them back.

‘They’ve only been at the orphanage for about a year and some of them already speak English, including a girl with Down syndrome.’

The trip proved to be successful on a multitude of levels, Mrs Silvester and Miss Charlton not only having provided aid but strengthened relationships within the establishment.

‘We brought the children lots of sweets – we couldn’t turn up empty-handed,’ said Miss Charlton.

‘They were so excited to play games with us and we were even able to FaceTime some of their guardians.’

HAG is now encouraging other local businesses to join Crepe Maison’s discretionary service charge scheme to provide more aid for struggling countries.

. The charity’s website is humanitarianaid.gg.