УКР Two Ukrainian volunteer groups Ukrainian Hearts and Proud to be Ukrainian from Lewes and Uckfield, East Sussex, England—donated £1,250 (about $1,710) raised at a recent Ukrainian Christmas Fair to Leleka Foundation to help meet urgent frontline medical needs in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian Christmas Fair brought together local Ukrainians and British supporters for a day of Ukrainian culture and hands-on workshops, including decorating traditional gingerbread, singing carols, and sharing Ukrainian food. Organizers say events like these help keep Ukraine visible in local communities while turning cultural engagement into real support for people under threat.
For the past two years, Ukrainian Hearts has focused much of its fundraising on pediatric oncology hospitals in Lviv and Chernihiv. This time, working in collaboration with Proud to be Ukrainian, they chose to direct proceeds toward frontline medical support—an area they describe as increasingly urgent as winter approaches.
“We understand how serious the situation is,” said Liudmyla Kondratiuk, one of the event organizers. She noted that while their donation may seem modest compared to the scale of need, it is a meaningful contribution from a small-town communities—and part of a continued commitment to do more.
The volunteer groups are already preparing their next fundraiser: an Easter-themed fair featuring traditional Ukrainian Easter customs such as pysanky (decorated eggs), parka (Easter bread), and spring songs and games. Organizers plan to donate the proceeds to Leleka again to support urgent needs.
Leleka used this donation to provide one fully stocked tactical medical backpack and 30 tourniquets.
Q: Liudmyla, can you briefly introduce Ukrainian Hearts and Proud to be Ukrainian?
A: Ukrainian Hearts and Proud to be Ukrainian are volunteer organizations created by Ukrainian women who currently live in Lewes and Uckfield, East Sussex. In parallel with work and family responsibilities together we organize cultural events, community gatherings with different activities, concerts and fundraisers to support Ukraine and maintain its presence in British society.
Q: What has your fundraising focused on in the past?
A: For the last two years Ukrainian Hearts intentionally focused on supporting pediatric oncology hospitals—specifically departments in Lviv and Chernihiv. Proud to be Ukrainian are focused on raising funds for medical supplies in Ukraine.
Q: What changed with your most recent fundraiser?
A: For our latest event we partnered with volunteers from Proud to be Ukrainian group and decided we also want to support frontline medical needs this time.
Q: Why did you choose to donate through Leleka?
A: In January our Ukrainian choirs raised more than a thousand pounds for Leleka Foundation. We spoke with Leleka`s volunteers Daria and Natalia and decided to send the donation to Leleka as well to help where it’s urgently needed.
Q: How would you describe the size of the donation?
A: For a small town, it feels like a decent amount. But we understand the scale of needs is much bigger—this is closer to “one backpack and a bit,” so we want to keep going.
Q: Tell us about the fundraiser itself—what was it like?
A: It was a Ukrainian Christmas Fair where we ran workshops (like decorating gingerbread, making candles and Christmas decorations, painting), showed Ukrainian traditions, sang carols, and sold Ukrainian food. People were interested and donated.
Q: How do you reach people in the UK and keep attention on Ukraine?
A: We put a lot of effort into coverage—newspapers, radio, and social media. We also have British volunteers and local families who come with kids to participate, learn, and support.
Q: What’s next for you?
A: We’re preparing an Easter Fair with Ukrainian Easter traditions—games and songs, pysanky, and paska. We plan to donate what we raise again for urgent needs.
Q: Is it easy to raise funds specifically for frontline needs in the UK?
A: Culturally, it’s harder to publicly fundraise for the front line here—many people prefer donating to other humanitarian causes. But we personally understand that supporting the front line is also extremely important
Q: What message do you want supporters to hear?
A: Transparency matters. If we announce a fundraiser goal, we want people to see that the money really goes where we said it would. That’s why it’s important for us to share that we donated the funds we raised.
