LUU is hosting a vigil for Ukraine tonight at 5pm

Students will also be able to donate directly to the appeal at various points in LUU


Leeds University Union has announced it will be hosting a Vigil for Ukraine tonight (Friday 11 March), at 5pm at the LUU Precinct.

They have stated everyone is welcome, “as we come together to show our support for all those affected, and to call for peace, democracy and freedom.”

The vigil will feature speeches from LUU Exec Officers Aysha Burton and Natasha Fowler-Ekar.

Students are also now able to Donate to Ukraine at LUU, where charity collection points have been launched at tills in Common Ground, Balcony, Terrace, Old Bar, Gear and the Union Shop, allowing students to donate 50p extra which will go towards the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

This is in addition to the protest in solidarity with Ukraine that took place on the Parkinson Steps last week, moving across Leeds, stopping at Millennium Square and walking through the city centre, past the Trinity Centre and back up to the Parkinson Building.

Students at the protest in solidarity of Ukraine last week

Kseniia Lazareva, a Ukrainian student at Leeds Uni told The Tab she organised the protest as she felt useless in the UK whilst Ukraine is suffering, and hoped the protest raised awareness amongst young people in Leeds.

The Leeds Ukrainian Community Centre have also asked for donations to help the men who are volunteering to fight in Ukraine, which will help keep them safe by buying items such as bulletproof vests and thermographic cameras.

The leader of Leeds City Council also issued a statement about the Ukrainian conflict:

“On behalf of Leeds City Council and the city of Leeds I want to express how deeply saddened and shocked we are by the situation in Ukraine. Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine and with those Ukrainians who already call Leeds their home.

“The deliberate targeting of innocent people is beyond comprehension and as a council and a city we condemn this. Leeds is a  welcoming and compassionate city  and we will work with our Ukrainian friends and partners in communities across the city to provide the necessary support and reassurance that may be needed.”

Help and support available

Students at the University of Leeds affected by the war in Ukraine are being encouraged to contact the LUU Help and Support team. Visit https://www.luu.org.uk/help-support/ for more details.

Related articles recommended by this writer:

• ‘We stand in solidarity with Ukraine’: Leeds protests against Russian invasion

• Here’s everything going on with Russia and Ukraine explained as simply as we can

• In pictures: Thousands gather around the UK in protests in solidarity with Ukraine