We have all been watching on in horror at what is unfolding in Ukraine and wishing we could do more to help.  So far the main thing we have been able to do is donate money to support people that are suffering the effects of this war.

After receiving a message from a Ukrainian friend saying "you asked me how you can help? Here is a very direct help." I have helped to fundraise for a small Ukrainian NGO (Tarilka.org) that is working on the ground in Ukraine to get food to people who need it urgently. Many of the large organisations are not yet in the country and set up so this initial grassroots aid is vital for peoples survival. I noticed that when I transferred the money via swift I was charged £5. When people are being encouraged to give whatever they can at this time this constitutes a large amount of money that could be going straight to help people facing a humanitarian crisis.  It will also apply to all sorts of other circumstances where people are trying to send money into Ukraine.

Please sign this petition to call on all UK banks to scrap their transaction fees on all money being sent to Ukraine at this time.  There is already a precedent for this, on 26 February, Revolute waived international payment fees for sending money to a Ukrainian bank account for 30 days. This is a simple action that banks could take with immediate effect that would enable more money to go straight to Ukraine and the people that need it.  It's particularly important that they act quickly so that we can directly support Ukrainian NGOs that are already working on the ground to get help to the people that need it.