World Jewish Relief raises £540k as deadly Kyiv assault highlights urgent support need
More than 1,150 donors backed the appeal before Russia’s largest aerial attack on Kyiv left at least 18 people dead and around 90 injured
World Jewish Relief has raised more than £540,000 to support people living through the wars in Ukraine and Israel, with the charity saying Russia’s latest deadly assault on Kyiv has underlined the continuing need for emergency psychological support.
The charity’s 36-hour fundraising campaign, held on 28 and 29 June, attracted 1,154 donors, with the money helping to fund trauma counselling and mental health support for thousands of Ukrainians and Israelis living with the effects of war.
The appeal’s success came just days before Russia launched what Kyiv’s mayor described as the capital’s largest aerial assault since the full-scale invasion began.
According to the BBC, at least 18 people were killed and around 90 injured after Russia launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Kyiv overnight. Residential buildings, an ambulance station and other civilian sites were hit during an attack that lasted more than 11 hours, forcing many residents to spend the night in shelters. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian areas, while Moscow said the strikes were aimed at military infrastructure.
Paul Anticoni OBE, chief executive of World Jewish Relief, said: “Last night’s attack brought yet more fear and trauma to Ukrainians who have faced almost four and a half years of war. Another night of sheltering, another night of anxiety. I am so proud of our community’s support for people facing the horrors of war, and we know there is so much more to do.”
More than 100 volunteer ambassadors helped drive the campaign, including broadcaster Emily Maitlis, her News Agents co-host Jon Sopel, and former UJIA Scotland regional director and Jewish Care Scotland fundraiser Alex Steen, who raised £45,000.
Steen said: “I feel very proud and honoured to be one of the many ambassadors helping to raise vital funds for the superb work of World Jewish Relief. I feel very, very sad and distressed to be raising money for trauma counselling both in Ukraine and Israel, which is indeed a sad reflection of life in 2026. However, the empathy and solidarity from the community are both humbling and uplifting and also inspiring and an example to all.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, World Jewish Relief says it has supported more than 400,000 Ukrainians across 389 towns and cities through local partners. In the UK, the charity has also helped more than 13,000 Ukrainians learn English, find work and build new lives in their communities.