Russia-Ukraine war: How to help Ukrainian refugees & London donation centres near me - full list

Following Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine - the biggest European invasion since 1945 - Londoners have been desperate help Ukrainians.

Polish centres across the capital have already seen mountains of donations pile up, while others have taken to the streets to show their support.

The London Eye and Nelson’s Column have been illuminated yellow and blue, the Ukrainian colours, while football stadiums were covered with fans holding up the Ukrainian flag.

From donations to attending protests, here are a few practical ways that Londoners help support Ukraine during this time of crisis.

Find a donation centre near me to help Ukrainians

Since the fighting began last week, over 280,000 Ukrainians have travelled to Poland to seek asylum.

There are a number of Polish Centres in London collecting essential items for Ukrainian refugees.

Most donation centres are now no longer asking for clothes or food, but items to help the army as well as sanitary products.

Please check with each centre before taking items.

If you are organising a donation centre and want to be featured on this list, please email [email protected].

Here are a the best donation points near you in London.

White Eagle Club, Balham

211 Balham High Rd, Balham, London SW17 7BQ

The White Eagle Club in Balham is collecting essential items which will be transported to Poland.

The most needed items right now include batteries, flashlights, military clothes, generators and dry sanitary products.

For drop off times and further information check their Facebook page.

Lewisham Polish Centre, Forest Hill

8 Waldram Park Rd, Forest Hill, London, SE23 2PN

The Lewisham Polish Centre is collecting sanitary products for women, first aid products, bandages, hand and feet warmers, powder milk for babies, hygiene products and baby wipes.

They have strictly asked for no clothes or food donations.

For more information on drop off times you can visit their Facebook page.

Piast Polish deli, Crystal Palace

3 Hollybush Terrace, Westow Street, Crystal Palace, London, SE19 3SD

Piast Polish deli in Crystal Palace is collecting items for the Lewisham Polish Centre, so if you cannot make it Forest Hill you can drop off items here.

The shop has a list of items needed on its Facebook page.

Here East Campus, Stratford

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 14 East Bay Lane, London E15 2GW

Volunteers are collecting goods to take to Ukraine from Tuesday onwards.

The group organising this are also looking for more volunteers to sort through donations.

Priorities are: canned food, painkillers, sweets for kids, nappies and women’s sanitary products.

Plough Way Off Licence, Surrey Quays

13-15 Plough Way, Surrey Quays, London SE16 2LS

Plough Way Off Licence is collecting donations to send to Ukraine over the coming weeks.

The first load left on Monday, however people can still donate goods.

Priorities are: canned food, painkillers, sweets for kids, nappies and women’s sanitary products.

Donations must be boxed up and sealed.

Ukrainian Social Club, Holland Park

154 Holland Park Avenue, Holland Park, London, W11 4UH

Ukrainian volunteers across London are collecting goods for the army, medicines and also for refugees.

Amongst other things, the army needs military boots, backpacks and sleeping bags.

Full list of supplies that are needed here.

Restaurant Prosperity, Twickenham

59 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3LP

Restaurant Prosperity is collecting goods for the army, medicines and also for refugees.

The restaurant has collections on: Tuesday 11am-6pm, Wednesday to Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 12noon to 9pm.

Ring 07853514567 for more details. Full list of supplies needed here.

Restaurant XIX, Stratford

369 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 4QZ

This Stratford restaurant is taking collections for the army, medicines and also for refugees.

Amongst other things, the army needs military boots, backpacks and sleeping bags.

Full list of supplies that are needed here.

Call Mariya on 07561322029 for more details.

USSR Retail, Leytonstone

679-691 High Road, Leyton, E10 6RA

Donations are being collected for Ukrainian refugees and the army at USSR Retail.

Ask for Vadym, who is Moldovan but speaks Russian, to give the goods to.

Full list of supplies that are needed here.

USSR Retail, Hounslow

79-83 High Street, Hounslow, TW3 1RB

Donations are being collected for Ukrainian refugees and the army at USSR Retail.

Ask for Valeriy, who is Ukrainian, to give the goods to.

Full list of supplies that are needed here.

USSR Barking Warehouse

Unit 8 Bankside Park Industrial Estate, 28 Thames Road, Barking, IG11 0HZ

This Barking warehouse is taking donations to take to Ukraine.

Full list of supplies that are needed here.

Call Oleh - 07879485204, Tanya - 07920100662 and Yuriy - 07786444299 for more details.

Transporters to Ukraine, Barking

Barking, IG11 0RG

People are arranging collections to take goods to Ukraine in Barking.

Call Lyubomyr - 07810111110, Ivan - 07868984141 and Pavlo - 07578080575 for details.

Transporters to Ukraine, Enfield

Enfield, EN2 7HX

People are arranging collections to take goods to Ukraine in Enfield.

Call Anatoliy - 07908908590 and Riman - 07473779996.

Coppetts Wood Primary School, Muswell Hill

Coppetts Road, London N10 1JS

Coppetts Wood Primary School in Muswell Hill is collecting goods for Ukraine.

Contact 020 8883 0248 or [email protected] to check which goods are needed.

St Robert Southwell RC Primary, Kingsbury

Slough Ln, London NW9 8YD

Robert Southwell school is collecting goods for Ukraine, and Ukrainian refugees.

Ring on 020 8204 6148 to check which goods are required.

Show solidarity by attending protests

Hundreds of Londoners have taken to the streets over the last week showing solidarity with Ukrainians and demanding that the UK government impose tougher sanctions against Russia.

Follow Ukraine Solidarity Campaign, London Euromaidan and Ukrainian Events in London to keep up to date with London protests.

Write to your local MP

Contacting your local MP can help lobby the British government to address a particular issue, for example to welcome refugees from Ukraine, to place more sanctions on the Russian government or to send over more medical or military support.

You can find your MPs contact details here. Here is a link to a template.

Donate to Ukrainian charities

Here is a list of reputable charities recommended by the Ukrainian Institute in London.

With Ukraine, is a special fund to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine’s civilian population established by the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK

The UNHCR Refugee Agency emergency appeal to help ensure that Ukrainians forced to flee their homes are sheltered and safe.

The Red Cross has established a Ukraine Crisis Appeal to provide food, water, first aid, medicine, warm clothes, and shelter.

Defend Ukraine have collated a list of fundraisers, charities, and donation links in support of Ukraine, covering financial and humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and military support.

Ukraine Charity, London: humanitarian appeal – Ukraine Charity is a UK registered charity.

The Kyiv Independent also needs support to continue reporting on the ground from Ukraine.