We are a small charity with a big mission

Here at Maria Relief Fund we believe that charity stems from an unconditional love and respect for fellow human beings. As part of this belief, we see helping those in less fortunate situations as a basic obligation.

Kristina's Family Tree in Ukraine

As stated in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all people, regardless of race, gender or any other distinction, have a right to food, shelter, education and liberty. As a charitable organisation with the power and resources to help protect such rights, it is our duty to do so in a non-discriminatory manner. We recognize that those members of society most affected by discrimination and inequality are often the most disadvantaged, so we direct our work particularly toward the assistance of women and distressed children. By concentrating predominantly on children we aim to create hope for a better  future.

a tree of life

We aim to empower the voiceless in society and while this is primarily about providing financial aid, if such aid is to have long-term benefits it is important that we help people to help themselves. Education plays a key role in social empowerment and so we direct a lot of our work toward facilitating access to school and university. By working toward long rather than short term goals, our charitable work can have lasting effects and create self-sustaining communities.

As part of our endeavors to reach the voiceless, we make a point of actively searching out people in need, rather than waiting for them to come to us. For example, our project in Ukraine helps people who are outside the general radar of the larger charities, despite being greatly underprivileged. Not only have they benefited directly from the donations, they have been given a sense of hope and optimism by the simple acts of strangers showing them unconditional generosity.

It is also important to recognize that charity works two ways, involving both donors and beneficiaries. We are optimistic about all people’s potential for kindness and see charity as a bridge between people who are otherwise disconnected from each other. As a small organisation we are able to foster personal relationships which are rewarding for both our supporters and those whom they are helping.

We believe that the act of helping those in need is an end in itself, without the need for other incentive. In line with this, our organisation is 100% volunteer run. Not only does this allow us to direct virtually the entirety of our funds toward aid projects, it also ensures our fundamental basis as a charity, in which our activities are motivated solely by compassion and respect for fellow human beings.

We see ourselves as acting within the long and diverse history of charity and giving, a tradition which we aim to defend and develop through our work. The concept of charity is often misused and so by upholding its integrity we seek to bring hope and a positive message to people the world over.

Charitable objects as submitted to the Charities Commission

1. THE RELIEF OF NEED OF THE PUBLIC AND IN PARTICULAR (BUT NOT SO AS TO LIMIT THE FOREGOING) PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF POVERTY AND DISTRESS RESULTING FROM OPPRESSION , PERSECUTION, NATURAL DISASTER OR ANY OTHER CAUSE, PRIMARILY IN COUNTRIES WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OTHER CHARITABLE AID, BUT WITHOUT ETHNIC, NATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION.
2. THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC AND IN PARTICULAR (BUT NOT SO AS TO LIMIT THE FOREGOING) THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN COUNTRIES WHERE THERE IS LITTLE OTHER CHARITABLE AID, BUT WITHOUT ETHNIC, NATIONAL OR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION, SO AS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP AND ACHIEVE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS A MEANS BY WHICH THEY CAN HELP THEMSELVES TO IMPROVE THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE.
3. SUCH OTHER CHARITABLE PURPOSES AS THE TRUSTEES IN THEIR ABSOLUTE DISCRETION THINK FIT.