Landlords set up fundraiser to help humanitarian effort in Ukraine

HMO landlords David Johnson and Andy Graham have set up a fundraiser inviting fellow landlords to donate the equivalent of one week's rent for one room.

As the Ukraine conflict continues to unfold, many people have been left wondering what they can do to help the humanitarian effort.

Two kind-hearted landlords had that exact thought recently and have launched a fundraiser to help those seeking safety.

David Johnson and Andy Graham felt compelled to help after watching in horror scenes on the news of people fleeing their homes in Ukraine.

David, a student landlord in Manchester, wanted to create a fundraiser that fellow landlords could also contribute to. As a HMO landlord, he came up with the idea of encouraging other landlords to donate what would be the equivalent of one week's rent for one room in a rental property.

He told fellow HMO landlord Andy about the idea, and the next day the pair got to work setting up the online fundraiser.

Over £1500 has already been raised, with donations continuing to come in.

Initially, David and Andy only shared information about the appeal with friends and a handful of colleagues, who agreed to support them and donate. 

David, who has been a student landlord for fourteen years, said:

“I had seen on the news and social media about people donating items to help Ukrainian’s. I considered doing the same but realised that logistically, it would be difficult to get the items to those in need quickly. So instead decided to donate to a charity that could deploy the resources appropriately.” 

“Andy and I had a chat about how we could raise more funds to have a larger impact. We both know many other landlords up and down the country, and we thought if we were willing to donate the equivalent of one week’s rent for one room to this cause, perhaps our colleagues in the wider landlord community would too.”

Andy, a landlord with HMOs in Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham, was inspired to support David after speaking to one of his colleague’s, a Ukrainian national.

“I have a great team of people around me who help me manage my student properties, and one of the contractors who helps with our maintenance 

was born in Ukraine, and still has extended family living in the country. When you see the effect that has on someone, there’s not much you can say, so when David mentioned about helping with this fundraiser, I didn’t think twice.”

The response from the pair’s friends and colleagues 

so far has been generous, with more than half of the £2500 target having been raised just two weeks into the fundraiser.

“For me it was clear we wanted to do something, and we have the capacity to do something to help Ukrainians in crisis and raise as much money as we can. It is heart-warming to see the very generous donations made so far says David.

Fundraising

David and Andy, who got to know each other well during the first lockdown over social media are no strangers to volunteering and raising money for charity. Andy, who overcame illness in his 20s, regularly raises money for cancer charities. A few years ago he and his friends raised thousands doing a sponsored ride from North to South India for charity, on TukTuk bikes, while David volunteers for Guide Dogs as a treasurer of the local association.

• To learn more about the fundraiser and to donate, visit the Go Fund Me page.
• Main picture caption: Andy Graham is pictured left, David Johnson pictured right