Dear Carer of Children,
We, the Association of Ukrainians in Republic of Ireland (AURI), are writing to you to seek your help with Fundraisers and Christmas Toy Donations for the children of Ukraine. As you know, these children have come to know unimaginable loss and many have had their whole worlds taken away from them, this Christmas we want to actually give them something, however small. Understanding children the way that you do, we believe that you know better than anyone the big impact that little things can have on them, and we know that you will do all that you can to help.

For many of us, Christmas is our favourite time of year, bringing warmth, joy, and calm. We all have our routines, rituals and traditions that are unique to each of us. What we all share though, when we think of Christmas, are thoughts of family, of home and a certain sense of wholeness that is never quite found at other times of the year, a peacefulness. The war waged by Russia has stolen the above from our children. Many have lost their homes and their families, all have lost a sense of peacefulness, and some have lost their lives.

We know that Christmas will be incomprehensibly sad and difficult for many of our children this year, but, however small and for however brief it is, we are determined to give Ukrainian children at least one moment of joy this Christmas. We want to provide each of them with a gift on Christmas morning, a gesture, which we hope will give start to restore the gift of hope. Again, we are asking for your help to do that. There will be Fundraisers and Toy Drives, at which we will be accepting donations right up until the 9th of December. Ukrainian Hubs "Palyanytsya" Wicklow, Arklow, Cork, Galway, Dublin will all be involved.

We are seeking gift boxes with new toys, though we welcome essentials too. Where any toys require batteries or accessories, please do try, and include them. Please do not include any sharp or breakable objects. When ready, wrap the box and the lid separately. Hold the box together with a large elastic band. Please do not seal it with tape as boxes will need to be reviewed by customs. Where you can, we would also ask that you please donate towards the shipping process, which will ensure that your kind donation arrives in time.

Christmas may never be the same for these children, but with your help it will not be joyless. Please, donate what you can and give a little bit of magic this Christmas.