Readers go extra mile for our campaign as Ukraine appeal fund soars

Readers go the extra mile for our campaign as Ukraine appeal fund soars over £5.5million

  •  Daily Mail readers are going the extra mile to help the people of Ukraine
  •  Dozens set up mini appeals to raise money for those plunged into crisis 
  • Ten-year-old Lilia Dohoney is hoping to raise that total by another £500 

Our fundraising is already record-breaking – and now Daily Mail readers are going the extra mile to help the people of Ukraine.

For dozens have set up their own mini appeals to raise money for those who have been plunged into crisis amid Vladimir Putin’s barbarism.

Generous readers have already responded magnificently, donating £5.5million to the Mail Force Ukraine Refugee Appeal. This includes a £500,000 donation from the Mail’s parent company DMGT at the request of Lord and Lady Rothermere.

Now ten-year-old Lilia Dohoney is hoping to raise that total by another £500 – challenging herself to cycle 50 miles in a month.

Ten-year-old Lilia Dohoney is hoping to raise the total by another £500 – challenging herself to cycle 50 miles in a month 


Steve Mitchell, 51, is taking his musical talents farther afield – with a George Michael tribute concert

She is already well on the way to hitting her target, having clocked up ten miles riding along the canals near her home in Warrington, Cheshire, with her father Gary.

£250,000 for child charity

Mail Force is giving £250,000 to the AMAR Foundation – helping to ‘wipe away the tears’ of children caught up in the conflict.

The charity, which was set up by Tory peer Baroness Nicholson in 1991, helps orphans and vulnerable youngsters in the face of conflict.

The charity, whose patron is Prince Charles, is now organising medical convoys to be sent into Ukraine and supporting children who are fleeing the conflict.

Last night Baroness Nicholson said: ‘I am overwhelmed by the outstanding, even unique, generosity of the Mail’s readers.

‘Never did I dare dream of such warmth. This huge gift will help thousands of despairing children.’

 

‘The picture in my mind is of all those families who might lose their dads, because if you are over 18 you have to stay behind and fight,’ said Lilia.

As well as cycling five or six times a week, the schoolgirl is also selling bookmarks with pictures of sunflowers – the national flower of Ukraine – to raise extra funds.

‘I just wish the war could stop and they could all be happy again,’ she said.

Caroline Coulson, a procurement manager from Maidenhead in Berkshire, was also inspired to start training for a half marathon after being left ‘devastated’ by images from the conflict.

The 42-year-old, who is running with her husband Mark, said: ‘We never thought something like this could happen in our lifetime. 

The images of people suffering just really hit so hard. We felt we wanted to do something to raise some money and a half marathon seemed like a great idea.’

The couple are already nearly a third of the way towards their £1,000 target. 

But, although they are both training now, Mrs Coulson joked that her husband is quite competitive so will ‘probably outrun’ her.

Raising money in a very different way is Steve Mitchell, 51, who has loved the music of George Michael since he was a teenager.

The station supervisor, from Egham in Surrey, has previously raised money for the NHS with a cycling ‘singathon’ to the Wham frontman’s music.

And now he’s taking his musical talents farther afield – with a Michael tribute concert which will be livestreamed next Thursday. 

People rush to catch a train and try to evacuate Odessa after Russian forces invade the country

Mr Mitchell, who has already raised £250, said he has been studying Michael’s music and voice since he was 15 and joked: ‘There is no difference between us.’

The father of two, whose partner Edyta is Polish and knows people who have been personally affected by the crisis, said the singer was a ‘great humanitarian’ who would have wanted to support the people of Ukraine.

Adding that the concert will be interspersed with footage of the conflict, he said: ‘I have found these images coming out of Ukraine just devastating. 

‘It is just heartrending and if by performing for an audience, we can help contribute, then that is what we should do.’ 

Here’s how YOU can help: Donate here to the Mail Force Ukraine Appeal

Readers of Mail Newspapers and MailOnline have always shown immense generosity at times of crisis.

Calling upon that human spirit, we are supporting a huge push to raise money for refugees from Ukraine.

For, surely, no one can fail to be moved by the heartbreaking images and stories of families – mostly women, children, the infirm and elderly – fleeing from the bombs and guns.

As this tally of misery increases over the coming days and months, these innocent victims of this conflict will require accommodation, schools and medical support.

Donations to the Mail Force Ukraine Appeal will be used to help charities and aid organisations providing such essential services.

In the name of charity and compassion, we urge all our readers to give swiftly and generously.

TO MAKE A DONATION ONLINE 

Donate at www.mailforcecharity.co.uk/donate 

To add Gift Aid to a donation – even one already made – complete an online form found here: mymail.co.uk/ukraine

Via bank transfer, please use these details:

Account name: Mail Force Charity

Account number: 48867365

Sort code: 60-00-01

TO MAKE A DONATION VIA CHEQUE

Make your cheque payable to ‘Mail Force’ and post it to: Mail Newspapers Ukraine Appeal, GFM, 42 Phoenix Court, Hawkins Road, Colchester, Essex CO2 8JY

TO MAKE A DONATION FROM THE US

US readers can donate to the appeal via a bank transfer to Associated Newspapers or by sending checks to dailymail.com HQ at 51 Astor Place (9th floor), New York, NY 10003

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