## **Leeds Ukrainian Community Association** ## Annual report & accounts 27/02/2024-26/02/2025 ## Introduction From the first day of the Russian invasion into Ukraine, Leeds Ukrainian Community Association has been helping victims of the war. The LUCA is working in two main areas: supporting those, who fled the war, here, in the UK; and sending medical and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.LUCA is also promoting Ukrainian culture via a series of history lectures, master classes based on Ukrainian traditions and supports Ukrainian Saturday School in Leeds. ## Chair’s statement LUCA is operating from Leeds Ukrainian Community Centre. The centre is well known amongst members of the public ,which means that everybody has extremely easy access to speak to trustees of the charity about our work. The ease of access to these trustees has certainly helped to build a feeling of trust amongst those wishing to donate. The general public have realised that we can deliver aid ,as it is required in a timely and efficient manner ,with fully transparent activities. Over the years our reputation as a reliable, trustworthy charity hasled to our name being ever more well known and has increased our workload significantly. We have completed many requests for help that have been sent to us. These continue to be ever more varied as time goes on. The needs have changed slightly, but the results ar still the same in that every single item purchased or any assistance given has helped to save many lives. Refugees arriving in Leeds are still being signposted to our Community Centre by Leeds City Council. The need for any personal items they might need on first arrival into the UK is still there but along with that is an even greater need for assistance in setting up their own homes. After 3 years of war, the majority of the refugees are moving into their own accommodation, but without the support of their families and friends they are turning toLUCA for help in moving on with their and their children’s lives. The help given by LUCA in these circumstances provides families with stability and improves their mental health. We continue to be a central point for anybody needing help. Our work has also included providing subsidised meals for refugees on Saturdays. We find that on that day everybody comes to our centre to take part in organised events, meetings,children’s Saturday school or just to socialise with others. The fact that we can providesomething to eat while they are there encourages people to come without having theadditional problem of bringing something to eat for themselves and their children as many of them live on the outskirts of the city and can be travelling for quite a time. The difference this has made in particular to the children has been incredible as they meet up with old friends and make new ones as children should be doing. 2024-2025 financial year has seen increased demand in help sought from Ukraine, which created challenges for us to fulfil those requests. We have managed to provide similar level of support provided for the displaced community as in 2022 and 2023, despite the information and donation fatigue and severe volunteer’s fatigue. We have sought new ways of effective management, communication and engagement. ## February 2024 In February we have received a 5,600 euro donation from Innovative Technology Solution, business in Lithuania and purchased a pickup truck ,which was sent to Ukraine . 1 March 2024 We have continued to support our amateur choir with music equipment (speakers,keyboard etc) and ethnic ukrainian costumes In March following aid to Ukraine has been provided - batch of spanbond material ,used for safety net weaving by volunteers community in Vinnitsya in Ukraine - a starlink system for Ukrainian soldiers to provide better communication with loved ones - 2 pairs of ant concussion safety headphones for Ukrainian soldiers - Jeep Cherokkee-pick up truck for evacuation of wounded soldiers in Ukraine,filled with sleeping bags ,hygiene items, crutches and many more much needed items. 2 We have celebrated Mother’s day and International women’s day with our wondeful Ukrainian women and volunteers 3 April 24 Small Easter celebration for the community was held in April ,bringing people closer together and allowing us to maintain Ukrainian traditions ,away from homeland. This was attended by Father Igor, orthodox ukraninan church priest ,blessing traditional easter baskets . In April following aid to Ukraine has been provided - 21 medical stretches “Leleka” -new generation of lightweight stretches, useful in field conditions , on request of one of Ukraine army units , being sent to frontline. - A Trailer for a vehicle-on request of a group of soldiers, moving from one position to another on frontline and unable to move their belongings and equipment without a trailer 5 - 2[nd] batch of spanbond material to weave safety nets May 24 - We have received a £2,000 grant from Hill Dickinson Foundation to help Ukrainian displaced community and started our successful ongoing project with the help of the funds - every Saturday our wonderful volunteers provide nutritious and tasty traditional Ukrainian lunches for dislaced community .   6 - We have organised a visit for Ukrainian soldiers, training in Yorkshire military base ,bringing sweets,chocolates and performing concert of Ukrainian and contemporary music, expressing the words of gratitude for their service and boosting morale . - We have had a visit to United Kingdom parliament, meeting with Foreign Minister and members of opposition in parliament , discussing aid to Ukraine and challenges we,as a Ukraine charity, face ;expressing gratitude for Uk government continuous support to Ukraine and relaying the needs of Ukrainian people .  7 - We have celebrated Vyshyvanka Day-day of national unity and pride for Ukrainian heritage , wearing vyshyvankas and singing Ukrainian songs . 8   In May 24 following aid to Ukraine been provided: 9 - Welding repair of frame of one of the pick up truck used for evacuation of soldiers ,otherwise in working condition - Pick up trucks for evacuation of soldiers, bought and sent to Ukraine with medical and humanitarian aid - 2 starlink systems for soldiers, to help to have stable connection with loved ones 10 June 24 - Pick up trucks for evacuation of soldiers, bought and sent to Ukraine with medical and humanitarian aid - -  We have facilitated Ukrainian business club meet up, when active Ukrainian businessmen got together and shared their experience, success stories and collaborated for startups in Yorkshire. 12 We have applied for and received £20,000 grant from National Lottery . This grant is for the period of 2 years up to October 2026. Funds are for providing vital work in cooking and serving subsidised lunches and funds to help us to organise celebrations of national significance, until October 26 such us Christmas /St Nicholas party for the children, Malanka, Easter Mother’s day, Eurovision partyand Ukraine Independence Day . July 24 We have organised a trip to Tarasivka , annual Ukrainian festival in Derbyshire ,where lots of Ukrainian music, dancing and performances has been held on stage ,from different community groups of Ukrainians from UK and our guests have experienced lovely day out and seeing how Ukrainian traditions are celebrated in UK , by generations of Ukrainian people,starting from 1950s 13 I X6 14 We have also provided our Ukrainian choir with some speaker and sound equipment , enabling them to rehearse and perform in front with better sound. Ukraine in summer 24 started suffering with targeted energy infrastructure distruction by the drone and rocket atatcjks, and the need for generators and electro stations equipment was very acute .Next few months would see surge in requests for generators and Ecoflow systems and we started to purchase those in UK and send to Ukraine . We have purchased and sent to Ukraine starlink system, 2 ecoflow systems and some summer closing for Ukraine soldiers . 15 ## August 24 We have held our 2[nd] Annual general meeting, discussed important issues and the need for our charity work to continue, perhaps for generation to come ,as impact of war goes towards the need to help veterans, orphans and need for rebuilding Ukraine for decades to come. 16 In August our displaced families enjoyed trip to Whitby when a wonderful sunny day in combination with ice-cream has provided much needed joyful moments 17 We have also purchased and sent to Ukraine 2 pickup trucks to aid with evacuation of wounded and deceased soldiers .Vehicles been filled with much needed equipment and medical aid. We have provided masking net weaving team with spandbond material to enable them to make so needed lifesaving nets. 18 We have organised Ukraine Independence Day celebration -truly vibrant festival of Ukraine culture, music ,food and united Leeds Ukrainian community and friends of Ukraine around need for aid and support .The event was attended by c 250 people 19 ¢* •ANGLERS4t -IYT I 11 yLJ.:11A1 20 Ukraird&nArtYork 21 ## September 24 In September we have provided antidrone device, truly lifesaving device helping medical evacuation team stay alive during drone attacks and evacuate wounded soldiers from frontline to safety. We also provided 2 ecoflow system and 2 small electro stations. October 24 In October we have purchased and sent to Ukraine 2 starlink systems ,a pickup and Nightvision device helping awareness of danger during night time evacuation and saving lives 1 We also organised charity sports run for Ukraine’ Defenders day 2 And at the end of October held Halloween party for our community 3 November 24 In November we helped with 2 starlinks and 4 antennas to unit defending Chornobyl area We also started preparing for Christmas season and attended many fundraising events, able to generate vital income to enable us to do more lifesaving aid We have also started to feel challenges in volunteer’s engagement ,in particular in organising fundraising events and have been activily discussing the ways to move forward. The need for passionate active volunteers is a number one issue and we actively trying to adress this . December 24 December is a season of hope and joy and we have worked hard to provide festive atmosphere for our community much needed happy moments Our December Christmas fare has helped to create magical atmosphere for the community . We have helped our struggling families with contribution towards high gas bills and food vouchers ,ahead of Christmas 5 St Nicholas party seen children getting special Christmas presents delivered from Ukraine, remining them of home and giving hope of happiness ahead. 7 We have also tried very hard to fulfill as many outstanding requests from Ukraine, ahead of Christmas , providing much needed equipment and show support to those risking their lives and fighting for our freedom.We have bought and delivered 2 minibuses to Ukraine frontline, aiding with logistics ;food and medicine distribution. 8 We have also provided 4 ecoflow systems and 3 starlinks .Truly December 24 was about helping the community in every way we can ## January 25 January seen more care for the community’s mothers,children and elederly with help towards high heating bills and living expenses .Overall we helped over 50 families and elderly with cost of winter bills, electric blankets and food vouchers 9 We have also purchase tires for medevac vehicle , enabling medevac team on frontline to get to remote areas on frontline and provide emergency aid to wounded soudiers. 10 Malanka-traditional Ukrainian new year celebration was held for the community, giving positive vibes and laughter. 11 ## February 25 The month of February brought many worries and anxiety to Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine around the world We ,as representatives of Ukrainians in UK and Yorkshire ,have been in a spotlight again. Changing political landscapes meant a lot of uncertainty for future of Ukraine’s fight for freedom and survival as independente state, question of support by its allies remained uncertain.With 3d anniverrary of brutal Russian invasion approaching, we have united community once again, and reassured them , reitirating that only together we remain strong and unbreakable and only together can help save lives and influence world leaders to continue support for Ukraine. We have been uproached by news channels and media for commentary and given many interviews ,maintaining strong position of need for end of war and starting the process of rebuilding Ukraine and take care of our veterans and orphans. 12 STAND WITH UKRAINE Te LEEDS THE 3RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FULL-SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE COMFAl￿TIVE iVAL•t fr LAYIFIQ TME WHUT•I 24 FEB 2025 6:30 PM Dortmand Square IBr¢)ad Gatp, Ihe Headr(yx. LÈeds LSI 8EQI #STOPTHEWAR 13 We also have continued to support Ukraine with vital equipment We have provided a truck, generator,electrostation and 2 ecoflow systems 14 During the year we have tirelessly fundriased via musical events, organised raffles, lotteries and introduced Friends of Luca scheme in support of our organization. Our ukrainian dumpling ,lovingly made by our volunteers and then eaten by the community at events and celbrations are truly legendary ! 15 lil 16 IAN cOMfivNITY 18 YOIII4•Miiiir'• ov4LY IWVDTIE# VOU TO A FlllffMD OF LUCA . MDnthfythwtovAD £ frOrn￿ &tali (￿n￿￿en1 Swraub 4IIP WT IIP 4•IWrnY• TOIP11 11 LL P 11 19 Structure, Governance and Management Leeds Ukrainian Community Association is a charitable incorporated organisation governed by a constitution. ## **Board of Trustees** Larysa Dumenka -Chair of Trustees Viacheslav Semeniuk-Trustee Dariia Kovnatska -Trustee. Resigned 15/09/2025 Terrance Grayshon-Trustee . John Morrison Trustee ## **Roles of Trustees** Responsible for shaping policies and making sure charity activities are in line with public benefit guidelines . Ensure that right policies and procedures, including policies and management processes for safeguarding , serios incidents are in place ,adhered to and reviewed regularly . Committee board for the year 27/02/24-26/02/25 consisted of : Larysa Dumenka -Chair of Trustees Viacheslav Semeniuk-Trustee Dariia Kovnatska -Trustee and Treasurur Terrance Grayshon- Trustee John Morrisson Trustee Olga Callaghan-Committee member Julia Nelson-Legal Representative ## **Objectives and Activities** 1.to provide assistance in the collection, organisation and onward transfer of humanitarian aid from Leeds to Ukraine and neighbouring countries assisting victims of the war in Ukraine 2 .to provide a community hub in Leeds to FAC: facilitate the broadening of knowledge about Ukraine and Ukrainians ; to promote the Ukrainian language, culture and heritage ; to provide support for Ukrainians by means of cultural and social events ; to provide practical support in the form of a free charity shop providing essentials for refugees ; to provide a meeting place for the Leeds community and existing Ukrainian community to welcome and assist Ukrainian refugees ## **Achievements and performance** a. Main achievements of the Company LUCA has managed to be a local community charity providing aid, support and advice to people in Yorkshire and an organisation, where displaced community can come to request aid for nearest in 20 Ukraine or people they know require aid ,uniting people around volunteering and celebrations. b.LUCA has provided substantial humanitarian aid to Ukraine, helping to save many lives . ## **Financial review** - A. Accounts are prepared on receipts and payments basis. 21 Leed¥ Uktllin￿n Communrty A¥¥ocKqtk? Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe period from 27￿212￿24 Z6102rd025 To Section A Receipts and payments Ullrestricted lunds Restiic(ed lunds Exidowiiienl funds Totsl lunds Last year lo ihe nea1￿1 lo the neaiesl lo lo lo ihe nearest t A1 Receipts Donations FuTh1ra￿rgaGtlV1tiQS Giants 20.719 46.760 20.719 46.760 Z5.01 18.846 55.104 40.6ZO 4.515 25.000 5.160 Sub total(Gross income for AR) 72.639 25.000 97.639 119J185 A2 Asset and investmènt sales, see taNe . total 72,639 97.639 119,08S A3 Payments Co￿￿￿￿￿&￿10￿OqUlFth$ftt SaleiyEquipmeN and Cloih*iglboois.￿eepnq b4s 3.602 3.N12 444 9.085 44.856 9.323 3.085 44.856 9.323 6.306 49.164 5.405 Ve￿￿1@5 Gèneiaiois Hu￿anitalIan￿d I￿al￿[lems) and Irws Aid InLK-oueNg oiganised Saturday UkTanian5chod 5.059 5.917 9.800 1.339 4.066 4.(*6 367 367 HelpwithhouseknldK@fflSto lao@d leinL@d5 Childien andlarnily Iip50rgari5 ETrJlish Spèakingdub ArnalèurcomThwJnily Helptodi5plaG0d￿oF4*-￿ir1 SU Sub5id*s*d lth¢hès1￿ dtsplac ccthrnthlt Cost off￿dIasIng￿i1v￿1￿s Fwd Jndloodpiep loi lunokasing evènts F￿d[￿lSingrnaIÈrI￿IStogt EwipThpntlo[lL￿d1ai51ng*v￿n1% FL*idraisingcosi-delivery.postage FL￿dIal51ngC0s1-1r￿￿￿le￿PendIlUl￿ h•1 439 1.929 699 2.229 439 1J29 699 2.229 2.IZ7 6.956 468 892 5.000 S.￿)0 8.526 3.799 3.799 780 3.574 227 582 99 876 73.371 780 3.574 227 582 99 876 91.532 1.073 6.162 632 817 462 615 112.765 Sub totsl 18.161 22 MAssÈt and Investmènt urchases, Isee table) Sub toial 7JJ71 18,161 91.532 112,765 Nert of receipts/(payments) A5Transfers bètwèèn tsnds A6 Cash lunds hqst year end Cash funds this year end 732 6W39 6,107 6,320 1,641 f,B79 3,358 17,167 19,016 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period ljnieslricled RestiKled lunds lunds Cateooiies Detsls lunds to r••ar•s¢ £ to n•aiest £ to n•aMs¢ t 81 Cash funds Csshb4ancebrowhtlrywJidatVear 1.873 I7.￿7 Tolal cash funds 1,879 17,167 paymont5XCQUntls Unrestricted Jnds Restricted funds Endowment Jnds Detsils lo nearesi t lo neaiest t lo neaiesi t Fund ¢0 ¥hiGh asse¢ belon Cost Ilonalj Cuii*nt valu* lonall Detsils B3 Inveslmeni assets Fund to ¥hioh a55et belon C05t Cuiient iona Detsils B4 Assets retained for the chaiity's own use 23 ## B. **Going concern** Atter making appropriate discussions, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that LUCA hasadequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. C **. Reserves policy** - C. At the year end, the Charity held unrestricted General Funds of £1,879. These funds will be used to further the Charity's objectives. - The Trustees have agreed they should maintain the Charity's free reserves to a level of approximately three months expenditure and minimum of £500 . This policy is reviewed annually. - D. Accounts have been independently examined 24 (HARITY (OMMISSION f(KI E￿LAND ANO WALES Ind•p•nd•nt examinerfs r•port on th• accounts Socbon A Indo￿[￿1@￿t Examinorfs Report Report to the trnstees Lèèds Ukralnian CrwmmuntyAssociation ICIOI On a¢¢ount5 for the year ended 2610212025 Charity no 1190884 Set out on page5 I report lo the Iru51ees on my exsminathjn ofthe accounts ofthe abuée charity {￿e Tru5fi fortt* ye8rended 2fyD3'2025 Re5l>DD5ibilitK5 and basis of report A5 lh2 th￿r￿S tru5tee5, you ere te5pon￿b￿ forthe weperotion of Ihe accoun& ￿ acco￿anc4 Wilh th& r4quK•m•nts of th• Charths Ac12011 rthe Ar£}. I report in respect of my exarnination of Ihe TrusY5 acraunts ramEd out undef 145 oflhe 2011 Avt and ￿ c8rryinq out my ex&min8kn. 1 haye folowed &ll the applicabbE Directions gNeD by the Charity CcfflrnissiDn 1451SXbl Ot1￿ A¢1. Independeni I hAvÈ c¢mplÈtèd my ÈxamlnAtion. I confimi that no matÈdal mAttÈts have examiners $tstemeni come lo my attention in connec*on wth Ihe examinoton which gwes me CÈuS@ to bdièVÈ thAt il. Any maktial lÈs￿et the bccountsi9 record5 were not kept In •cr￿Ar￿* wth 5QCt*2n 190 otthe Chaiites Act.. or the accounts dby not 8ccord wth tre Bcwunbng record5". Dr the aCCOunls not compli *ith IhÈ appficablÈ requIrèM￿tS IDceming the torm and cDntent ot accounts set out ID the Chgril*s IAccounts 8nd Reports) ReguL9thon5 2008 otherlhgn any rwuirement that Accounts oi¥È & true and fairf viowwhica IS not A mAtt•r COD5idered a5 Part of an ￿dependent ￿•Mination. I have no concems and have come Acr055 TrD Other motters in connec*on wth the ex8rnjn8￿n to attent￿￿ shouky be dr8wD in thi5 ￿p￿rt in c(dÈr lo Ènablè & w0￿r UndÈrstAftdI￿ olthÉ ACeC￿n￿ to ￿ rÈAch@d. SignEd.. 1810712025 RUTA SaSIO- FMAAT RèlÈvattt wofÈssional qualthcation{sl or boty Assoctstion tsfAtcountino TÈchniCians Addre55'. Rpht Accounts Ltd. Suite 2 Piemkr PIc*use. Newhold Leed5. LS25 2LD IER Oct2018 25 gecbon B 015closure 15ee CC32. IDdep2ndent exarnnatkjn of thardy a¢￿u￿￿. directioD5 guhjance for exafflinetsl Give here brief detsi15 01 any it4ms thatth• txamjner yri5he5 to disclose. IER Oct 201 26 ## **Statement on public benefit** **Leeds Ukrainian Community Association was started initially due to numerous requests for assistance from Ukrainians in need due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and also the need expressed by other members of the public to have a trusted place to be able to donate in order to help these Ukrainians.** **The assistance provided to Ukraine is given as a result of requests received. Every one of our projects has been because of a particular need by the public in Ukraine. We are a local charity and have become increasingly well known so that people find it easy to find us to donate to us. We work closely with anybody who contacts us for help and provide a personal service this means that all help given can be given much quicker and more cost effective with less waste than some larger charities.** **LUCA has proved to be of great public benefit on all fronts. Both from the perspective of the** **donor who trusts us and is reassured that any donations will be used correctly. We are always easy to contact and there is always somebody available to talk through any queries and future projects. Because of this we have been able to build up an atmosphere of trust. Our personal knowledge of Ukraine is important to those asking for assistance who have been reassured that any requests for assistance will be considered and dealt with quickly and efficiently.** **Our work has also meant that we have been able to provide material assistance but also been a source of information and advice. This has meant that the refugees coming to us have been able to get the things they needed in one place without the need to search in many different places. We have also had many meetings with Government Ministers and Members of Parliament where we have been able to explain the importance of our work, and stress how imperative it is that we continue to provide this help.** **The main benefits to the public are therefore that we are a local charity, easily accessible, have personal knowledge of and contacts in Ukraine and have been able to provide help quickly and in the correct place, have an understanding of the needs of the Ukrainian refugees arriving since the start of the war and can provide a place of safety for them and their children where they can start to rebuild their lives in the UK yet not forget that they are Ukrainian. The wealth of our knowledge continues to expand and the many new contacts we have made both in the UK and in Ukraine all means that we will continue to play an important part in many people’s lives for many more years to come offering support to people in need.** 27 ## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts** **Section A Independent Examiner’s Report** |**Report to the trustees**
**On accounts for the year**
**ended**
**Set out on pages**|Charity Name
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (CIO)|Charity Name
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (CIO)|Charity Name
Leeds Ukrainian Community Association (CIO)| |---|---|---|---| ||||| ||26/02/2025|**Charity no**
**(if any)**|1199884| ||||| ||(remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)||| I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 26/02/2025. **Responsibilities and** As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the **basis of report** accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. **Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Date:** 18/07/2025 **Signed: Name:** RUTA KISIO - FMAAT **Relevant professional** Association of Accounting Technicians **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** Right Accounts Ltd, Suite 2 Premier House, Newhold Leeds, LS25 2LD 1 **Oct 2018** **IER** ## **Section B Disclosure** Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). **Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** . 2 **Oct 2018** **IER**