Ukraine Relief Fund: Aid For Refugees
At the start of the Ukraine crisis Noble Caledonia Charitable Trust was swift to react. Since the first quarter of 2022 almost all our on-board fundraising efforts have been directed towards raising money for refugees of the Ukraine war. Additionally, Ukrainian crew who work on our fleet have been given financial supported individually.
Bogdan Toma, our Hotel Superintendent who is based in Romania has been assisting refugees fleeing from Ukraine in co-operation with the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation, an NGO supporting families in critical situations searching for safety and shelter for their children.
The AID FOR REFUGEES project was launched by the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation on March 2, 2022, when families with children fleeing the war crossed the border to Romania. Refugees who arrived received immediate support through the Foundation - accommodation in a partner hotel unit, full board, social counselling, transport or transfers to the bus stations or airport, and personalized assistance according to each family needs. Some of the refugees continued their journey to other countries, but most of them found long-term hosting in Romania.
The aid project started in Bucharest but soon extended to other communities in Romania, based on a network of NGOs acting locally to support refugees.
As of February 2023, the NCCT, via generous donations of our guests, has sent over £32 000 towards the Aid for Refugees Fund.
Here are some ways in which our donations are being utilised:
In Bucharest, the Foundation continues to help refugee families from Ukraine, hosted at Casa Siqua, constantly offering, for approximately 60 people, social counseling, medical assistance, Romanian or English language courses, educational activities and the loved monthly children's birthday party. Mothers, grandmothers and children are safe together in Romania, but their thoughts are still far away: to their fathers, brothers, husbands and friends and to their real home, where they used to prepare together traditional Ukrainian food or to spend holidays. Christmas celebrations included a hot chocolate and muffin party where the children received presents and enjoyed board games, musical chairs, had fun drawing, listening to traditional carols and dancing.
We’d like to thank all our guests for this amazing effort.
To date 21 NGOs were given grants to provide aid locally. More than 4 600 people have been helped by the full Aid for Refugees Fund.
Read the full report from the Aid for refugees here.
How to Donate: If you would like to make a donation you can donate online here.
Alternatively if you would prefer to make a donation by cheque please make it payable to ‘NCCT’ and send it to NCCT, 2 Chester Close, London, SW1X 7BE. If you are eligible for gift aid you can increase your donation by 25% at no extra cost to you by using our Gift Aid Form.
For further information or to donate directly to the Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation please click here https://www.frmr.ro/en/