ALFS · Helping the People of Ukraine
Alfs Humanitarian Aid CIO *
History
For some years Alfs Larder Food and Shelter (Alfs Animals) has operated out of Hertford as a community organisation focusing on collecting animal food and accessories and distributing it to families which can no longer feed their pets, and also, when for whatever reason an owner cannot keep their pet, Alfs Animals can provide fostering and rehoming.
After Russia started its attack on Ukraine in February 2022, Alfs Animals felt moved to support the care of so many abandoned, ill or famished animals in Ukraine. However, after Tina Banks visited Ukraine the sheer scale of the humanitarian disaster became apparent to her. She was determined to do all she could to collect as much humanitarian aid as possible and to send regular supplies to communities which were in desperate need.
As it became apparent that the war would not come to an end any time soon a decision was taken that the humanitarian aid would best be delivered through a separate and distinct charity. Alfs Humanitarian Aid CIO (Alfs Ukraine) was finally registered as a charity on 30 August 2023. Alfs Ukraine and Alfs Animals could be described as sister organisations although they operate entirely separately and with separate objectives
Who We Are
Tina Banks
Founder and Trustee. Tina has been an active and successful business woman , for many years running her own business. She established Alfs Animals and is the primary link with trusted contacts in Poland and Ukraine. She speaks regularly at events and actively communicates with supporters. She also runs the Alfs Ukraine warehouse. She drove the ambulance (see above) across Ukraine to the front line at Bakhmud.
Rebecca Hadgett
Trustee. Rebecca is a Veterinary Nurse and also has a small dog grooming business.
Harrison Banks
Harrison worked for over 10 years in a family business which was sold after the covid pandemic. Since then he has changed course and is currently training to be a plumber.
How We Operate
From September 2024, Alfs Ukraine are changing the way we support Ukraine in a greener and more efficient way. Instead of collecting items and shipping them across, we are collecting money to purchase goods in Poland or Ukraine. This will save the cost of shipping, meaning more items, and we have HMRC approval to apply gift aid.
Through personal visits and regular conversations, close working relationships with reliable contacts in Poland and Ukraine have developed, been nurtured and tested over time. Alfs had warehouse facilities in Volodymyr in Ukraine (close to the boarder with Poland) and delivered aid across Ukraine including to Kherson, Bakhmut and Chernihiv amongst others. The aid Alfs Ukraine delivered to these communities was specifically requested by them. We would send a lorry (plus trailer) load of aid every 4-6 weeks. In 2023 we sent 9 lorry loads typically with 22 pallets of aid each time.
During 2022, and up to September 2024, the aid which Alfs Ukraine sent had been donated either as specific items from the list or as cash from which we purchased items. The list of requested aid varied from time to time according to changing needs. Alfs Ukraine aims to be a constant supporter of these communities enabling them to rely on aid from Alfs Ukraine reaching them regularly.
Examples of aid we have sent previously include: Generators, gas stoves, torches, tourniquets; sanitary products, toiletries, vitamins, instant food, baby clothes for a premature baby clinic, nappies; educational equipment; and old phones and tablets.
Examples of specific projects:
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An ambulance largely funded from the profits of a village pantomime
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A church group filling 170 boxes with a variety of sweets as Christmas treats for children plus a Christmas card with a warm message in English and Ukrainian
