CUMBRIANS are being invited to donate to a support fund for refugees arriving in the county after fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Money donated to the Welcome Fund will be available to community groups supporting refugees and refugees coming to Cumbria from Ukraine to ensure they get the support they need to adapt to their new life in Cumbria.

As the county prepares for its first arrivals from Ukraine, many locals are keen to support them but may be unsure how.

One way to make an effective difference is to contribute to the Welcome Fund, says Cumbria Community Foundation, which distributes grants in support of people in need.

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Andy Beeforth, Chief Executive of the Foundation, said: “We want to make people aware that the Welcome Fund exists as an established means of supporting refugees in the county.

“We know that as Ukrainians settle in Cumbria, they are going to need a lot of support and the communities and groups offering them homes will need to access funds to help them.

“We are getting donors and supporters asking what they can do to help people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, and we are receiving information about the emerging need to ensure we are can adequately support them here in Cumbria.”

The Welcome Fund supports all refugees in Cumbria, not just those coming from Ukraine. It is open to donations from the public and proceeds from fundraising events, as well as from the Foundation’s regular donors.

If you would like to know more about the fund or donate you can here