Berkhamsted Schools Group pulls together for Ukraine

Many communities across the globe have responded with compassion and support in response to the devastating conflict in Ukraine. The Berkhamsted School Community has been no different, promoting two Ukrainian Relief Effort schemes co-ordinated by the humanitarian organisation Te Aud Romania, a Romanian-based charity registered in the UK. 

‘Being involved in these schemes has been exceptionally rewarding but also humbling. The support shown by our school community, in providing items that will make such a difference to refugees who have very little, has been truly touching. I have been continually updated as the donated goods have travelled through Brussels to Budapest and onwards to Bucharest before making the final journey to the destination in Suceava County. Amazing. Thank you everyone.’

—Richard Thompson, Assistant Vice Principal (External Relations

On Tuesday the 3rd and Wednesday the 4th of May, families from across our Schools kindly donated personal hygiene and baby products to be delivered to refugees in the Suceava County of North-East Romania.  

Families and staff were extremely proactive in donating goods and managed to collect enough personal hygiene products to fill an entire van! The donated goods were collected and transported by our wonderful Estates Team to a local DHL Express depot. DHL Express is providing free transportation of the donated items, via a member of our school community, to Romania. 

A Vice President of DHL Express, who is also Head of the British-Romanian Chamber of Commerce in the UK said, 

“Thanks so much for all these amazing efforts – I think it’s difficult to overstate how much this will be appreciated.”

Also co-ordinated by Te Aud Romania, several Berkhamsted families have registered their interest in hosting refugee families. It is encouraging to see the local community offering their support to help those whose futures are now uncertain and bring back a sense of security and freedom for them.  

A heartfelt thanks must go to all those families who participated in these schemes, but also to Te Aud Romania, the Berkhamsted staff and DHL Express crew who enabled this to happen. As a school, we are immensely proud of our community and everyone’s efforts in aiding Ukrainian refugees. This is a true reflection of one of our school’s values, serving others.