Mission Without Borders (MWB) supports thousands of families with the basics to keep them warm and survive the cruel East European winter - families like the Yepats from Ukraine.

In the orphaned Yevpat family there is Ivanna (23), Vadym (16), Olesya (15), Artem (13), Oksana (11) and Martyn (9).  Their mother died in 2004. Their step-father abandoned them, so they ended up in orphanages (Homes).

Ivanna is like a mother to all her brothers and sisters. When she turned 20, she decided to gather all her siblings together. Today, only two are still left in Homes.

The family dreads winter: “It is very cold in the house”, says Ivanna. “We have a fire all day long but it doesn’t warm up…when the weather is frosty we can our breath. Once I put a big box of potatoes near the door and the potatoes froze!”

They all need warm clothes, but there is not enough money for six coats and six pairs of boots. Ivanna buys clothes for the others first so they can go to school. That’s why she often wears an old, thread-bare coat. There is no water nor gas in their old house. They have no heating.

MWB has helped this young family with food, clothing, medication and wood for heating. Also, MWB’s co-ordinators spend time with the youngsters giving them emotional support.

We know of so many more families like the Yevpats, who are living on the verge of freezing this January and February. Will you help us to rescue them this winter?
• £15 could provide extra food or clothing.
• £30 could provide bedding for two children like Olesya and Artem.
• £75 could provide additional wood for heating and cooking.
• £120 could provide simple tools to make home repairs.

Please donate now You can use Virgin Money Giving, GoogleCheckout (below), or phone 0207 940 1370 , or to make a telephone donation.