Perceptive Planning managing directors Phil Billingham and his wife Shannon Currie, alongside Navigator Financial Planning managing director David Crozier, have turned their efforts to Moldova following their visits with supplies to Poland.
A former Soviet state, Moldova is a relatively small country with 2.6mn inhabitants. But being cheaper than other European countries and next door to Ukraine, it is an attractive spot for Ukrainian refugees to live.
“The Moldovans have done all they can, it’s time we helped,” Billingham told FTAdviser. “We were quite touched by the speeches of the Moldovan government when all this started. They’re a small country and they had a lot of refugees crossing through.
“We were concerned Poland was getting a lot of attention subsequent to us going. David, who went [to Poland] after us, saw a lot more infrastructure in place and cars on the road. It was clear Poland had transitioned into a more sustainable state.”
The country is one of the least visited, poorest countries in Europe, and it’s hard to get to.Phil Billingham, Perceptive PlanningBack in March, Billingham and Currie drove supplies packed in a rental van through Germany to Przemyśl, one of Poland’s oldest southern cities, with the help of £4,500 raised from fellow planners and advisers.
Crozier followed in their footsteps the next month with help from author of The Behaviour Gap, financial planner Carl Richards.
It was in late May that Billingham and Currie realised the extent of support needed on the ground in Moldova, when they travelled to its capital Chișinău on holiday.
“The country is one of the least visited, poorest countries in Europe, and it’s hard to get to,” Billingham explained.
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Moldova received more than 350,000 Ukrainians fleeing into the country following Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.
While they were there, the couple donated money to the Dignity Centre alongside its umbrella organisation in Moldova, called ‘Moldova for Peace’.
The Dignity Centre was set up by charity Refugees Support to help with the sudden arrival of Ukrainian refugees.
“We could see the money was being well-used. The project is run by energetic, tireless 20-somethings. The Dignity Centre focuses on necessities, feeding about 1,100 people a week.
“Moldova for the Peace is doing the same, but it is also looking at the bigger picture.”
Billingham, Currie and Crozier are buying a new van for the charity, which has been renting a car until now - putting a drain on resources.
“It’s really hard for people to get around Chișinău,” said Billingham, who plans to visit again in September to help drive people between villages and transport supplies.
The charity is also renovating a kindergarten to support women refugees. For elderly refugees, it is in need of second-hand zimmer frames and wheelchairs. Billingham, Currie and Crozier intend to ship some out via a shipping container in bulk once they have raised enough money.
Often, people in this industry feel like the problem is too big to deal with. But this is a targeted place and tangible aid.Phil Billingham, Perceptive Planning“We like the charity’s ethics and can see it’s going to the people who need it. But they need more support,” said Billlingham.
The financial planning duo are happy to put fellow financial planners in contact with the charity who are keen to volunteer.
“The more the merrier,” said Billingham. “For some people, spending time in Chișinău is enough. There’s a real focus there on spending money locally - supermarkets have food and aren’t running out.
“Go and have a good holiday, spend money in an economy that needs it. Go and visit the Dignity Centre.
“You can go on a nice trip, donate, or sign up to get trained as a volunteer which is what I’m doing. People can do a variety of things.
“Often, people in this industry feel like the problem is too big to deal with. But this is a targeted place and tangible aid.”
ruby.hinchliffe@ft.com
