The people of Ukraine now need donations of cash, not clothes - and this is how you can help.
Dr Taras Khomych is a priest at Liverpool's Ukrainian Catholic Parish and also a Senior Lecturer in Theology at Liverpool Hope University.
He hails from Lviv in the west of Ukraine, where many of his friends and family - including his mother and father - are currently located.
And while he has praised the city’s response to the Russian invasion, Dr Khomych has called for an end to clothes and goods collections while insisting supporters provide financial assistance instead.
Dr Khomych, who is based at Liverpool’s St Sebastian's RC Church, explains: “At this point, I would discourage any clothing or goods collections for the people of Ukraine.
“First of all, it’s too time consuming for the people on the ground to distribute and it’s very difficult to ship the goods to Poland and Ukraine in the first place, while also being very costly.
“There are plenty of goods over there at this point. So stop collecting.
“If you have things you want to donate, keep them and donate them locally for when the refugees arrive here in the UK.
“What Ukraine needs at this point, from both a humanitarian and military point of view, is financial donations. That’s the most effective way to help.”
Dr Khomych says the best and most secure way to do so is via the Ukrainian Institute London website, which has compiled an extensive list of suggested actions, including references to groups seeking financial support, and how to donate.
Meanwhile Dr Khomych says he continues to be deeply moved by the support he’s received from the people of Liverpool, including those in the Council.
He reveals: “It’s amazing. Daily, I receive so many messages of sympathy and support.
“When the Government announced the scheme to accept refugees in the UK, immediately people started registering, but also sending me messages to find out how to proceed.
“I’m also grateful to Liverpool City Council.
“They have a dedicated team coordinating the process and I will be cooperating with them so that we can combine our efforts.”
Dr Khomych has also spoken-out in support of the ‘brave’ and ‘inspiring’ Russian anti-war protesters who risk severe repercussions for their vocal disapproval of the invasion.
He adds: “We see the aggression, but we also see the brave resistance of some people in the Russian Federation who oppose the war.
“This is really inspiring and I think this is a sign which shows a future with reconciliation is possible. But it’s still a very difficult, complex issue.
“I like to think that the Kremlin is a separate entity from the people of Russia, but at the same time, the Kremlin is not totally isolated.
“There is some support for the war at the grassroots level and an imperialist mentality which is ingrained in Russian people, fed by propaganda. The Russian population has to overcome this - and has to be cured of this disease of imperialism.
“Only then will real reconciliation be possible. First, the war has to stop.”
** To find out how to donate, and to which organisations, visit the Ukrainian Institute London website: