DONATIONS of humanitarian aid can be dropped off at several church parish centres in St Helens as part of an effort to help those affected by the war in Ukraine.

The Archbishop of Liverpool, the Most Reverend Malcolm McMahon OP, has launched an urgent and major appeal in the Catholic Archdiocese of Liverpool to support Ukraine.

The archdiocese has connections with Ukraine as Bishop Hryhoriy (Gregory) Komar, the auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of Sambir-Drohobych in the Lviv region of western Ukraine was taught by Liverpool priest Father Francis Marsden while studying for the priesthood.

Ukrainian priest, Father Taras Khomych, serves at Liverpool's Ukrainian Catholic parish - based at St Sebastian's RC Church in Fairfield.  Father Taras led prayers for Ukraine at the cathedral vigil on March 4, he also comes from Lviv and has family there.

READ > Everything to know about UK's Homes for Ukraine scheme

The appeal gives the opportunity for both financial donations and the donation of items which may be left at 40 centres throughout the archdiocese.  Financial donations will be sent to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy (diocese) of the Holy Family of London and our partner diocese in Sambir-Drohobych.  There are three ways in which financial donations may be made:

By using the following text numbers:

•           Text HELPUKRAINE to 70085 to donate £2

•           Text HELPUKRAINE to 70450 to donate £3

•           Text HELPUKRAINE to 70460 to donate £5

•           Text HELPUKRAINE to 70470 to donate £10

(Texts will cost the donation amount plus one standard network rate message.)

By bank transfer to

Account name: Archdiocese of Liverpool

Sort code: 40-29-12

Account: 01551493

Reference: Help Ukraine

or by cheque made payable to ‘Archdiocese of Liverpool’ and with ‘Help Ukraine’ written on the reverse.

St Helens Star: Archbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahonArchbishop of Liverpool Malcolm McMahon (Image: Archdiocese of Liverpool)

Items may be donated at the St Margaret Clitherow Centre, along with all 40 parish centres in the archdiocese.

The centres taking donations in St Helens are: 

  • St Anne and Blessed Dominic Parish Centre, 40 Monastery Road, Sutton, WA9 3ZD
  • St Mary’s Parish Centre, Birchley Roade, Billinge, WN5 7QT
  • St Patrick’s Parish Centre, 111 Common Road, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 9JH
  • St Teresa’s Parish Centre, Devon Street, Newtown, St Helens, WA10 4HW

The following items are needed:

  • First Aid Kits (including sterile dressings, safety pins, antiseptic fluid/cream/spray, disposable gloves, burn free kits, eye wash)
  • Battlefield First Aid Kits
  • Bandages - different widths (including halo chest seals, torniquets, splints, QuikClot Combat Gauze, Steri-strips stitches, Triangular bandages, Tourni-Key Plus)
  • Pain relief eg Paracetamol and Ibuprofen
  • Blankets, bedding, sleeping bags
  • Nappies - all ages and all sizes
  • Powdered Baby Milk and baby feeding bottles
  • Nappy Rash creams and baby bath lotions
  • Sanitary products
  • Warm underclothing including socks
  • Toiletries including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and shampoo
  • Rucksacks
  • Mattresses
  • Generators and different types of chargers

The archdiocese is also welcoming volunteers to support the appeal, please email: volunteer@rcaol.org.uk  with name and contact details.

There are prayer resources available at liverpoolcatholic.org.uk/ukraine-support