Hopeful future for charity after move to Dalton Mills

A charity that helps a bitterly deprived part of the Ukraine has moved to Dalton Mills, following a devastating fire at their previous premises.

Take Hope Yorkshire help people in the Ukraine, particularly orphans, the elderly and the handicapped, by taking out convoys of food, clothing, wheelchairs, bedding and even firefighting equipment. The charity was established by Andrew McVeigh in 1995 and it supports a range of projects in the Vinogradiv region of the Ukraine.

Take Hope were based at a church hall in Halifax but in  March a fire broke out at the premises destroying the next aid load which had taken 18 months to collect. 400 boxes of toys, clothing and equipment, which were ready to be taken to the Ukraine were destroyed in the fire and the charity needed to find new storage space.

Take Hope decided to take up space at the Clock Tower in Dalton Mills after it was offered at a very affordable price. The charity has been touched by the help and support they have received since the fire, and thanks to generous donations they have almost replaced the damaged aid load.

Andrew McVeigh said: “Since the fire, everyone has really rallied round to help us get goods together again. Dalton Mills is a great location for us to continue for the future and we hope that the move will be a long-term arrangement. We are overwhelmed with the help we have had from the local community to help us get back out to the Ukraine next week as planned.”

Take Hope support an orphanage, a soup kitchen and a therapy centre for disabled children by shipping out equipment and clothing and by offering financial aid. West Yorkshire Fire Service also donates fire-fighting equipment, which is distributed by Take Hope, because there is a desperate shortage in the region. The charity always needs clothes, bedding, toiletries and of course financial donations. They also require wheelchairs and equipment for the therapy centre, old computer equipment, bicycles, baby equipment and prams amongst other things.

To find out more about Take Hope Yorkshire, and how to help with fundraising or donations, please visit www.take-hope.org.uk.