According to Northwich Guardian, a massive humanitarian effort is underway as Vale Royal Lions Club in Northwich launches an ambitious campaign to provide 15,000 wood-burning stoves to Ukrainian families battling harsh winter conditions. This latest humanitarian aid initiative aims to support Kharkiv, Pavlograd, and Zaporizhia communities, where temperatures frequently plunge below freezing.
International support gains momentum
According to Rob Brown, a Vale Royal Lions Club spokesperson, this humanitarian aid effort builds on previous successful campaigns.
“In 2022, during the first winter in Ukraine after the Russian invasion, Lions in Europe combined to raise funds and ship more than 2,000 generators for use in schools in Ukraine,” Brown explains.
“Twelve months in 2023, contributions were again garnered, and more than 8,000 wood-burning stoves were manufactured and shipped to Ukrainian families to provide heat and cooking facilities to support 50,000 people.”
The Vale Royal Lions Club has already contributed £500 to this year’s Ukraine Appeal, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid in the region. This local initiative is part of a broader international effort that raised €2.7 million for previous winter projects, involving Lions members from more than 20 countries.
Critical need amid ongoing crisisÂ
The United Nations underscored the urgency of this humanitarian aid campaign. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 14.6 million people inside Ukraine currently require urgent humanitarian assistance.Â
The organization warns that damage to energy infrastructure could make this winter the most challenging for Ukrainians since the conflict began in February 2022. In a recent social media announcement, the Royal Lions detailed the practical impact of their initiative:
“The efficient Lions Stove works for heating and cooking on a surface. Stoves are delivered to families via a network of local Lions clubs in Ukraine. For €150, you can provide a durable, high-quality wood-burning stove to a needy family.”
Charity 101: Corporate giants and celebrities unite for a $30M+ Los Angeles wildfire relief campaign
Vale Royal Lions Club legacy of compassionÂ
As part of Lions Club International, which boasts 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries, Vale Royal Lions has served its community for almost five decades. Its current humanitarian aid campaign continues its long-standing commitment to helping those in crisis; Brown emphasizes the significance of local contributions to the global humanitarian aid effort:
 “Around €2.7 million was raised for these two winter projects, involving Lions from more than 20 countries, all from local clubs like Vale Royal Lions.”
The organization has established a Just Giving page for those wishing to support this vital humanitarian aid initiative. Each donation directly contributes to providing essential heating and cooking capabilities for Ukrainian families facing extreme winter conditions.