Raising thousands for the people of Ukraine

The Lockdown Room bar and restaurant at Ballymore’s London City Island has raised more than £22,000 to help the people of Ukraine, with a fundraising appeal and event. 

The team at the venue hosted a fundraising initiative on 4 March, donating 50% of all revenue from the day. Residents from London City Island supported the event by donating prizes for an engaging charity auction, which saw visitors to the venue bid for 15 appealing lots, including stays at Soho House hotel in London, a 12-month membership at yoga and meditation studio HUM Yoga, a Christian Louboutin handbag and a spa retreat. 

In its commitment to charitable causes, Ballymore matched The Lockdown Room’s £10,000 fundraising target. The collective efforts of all involved have raised a total of £22,320, to be donated to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal, with the team seeking further donations via a newly established Just Giving page.

Dan Bull, the founder of The Lockdown Room, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome of these fundraising efforts, and want to extend a huge thank you to Ballymore for generously offering to match our target.  

“London City Island is a great community filled with inspiring people who genuinely want to help. I am thrilled to have found a way to harness their generosity and to have made a difference. 

“The support of our neighbours and of Ballymore has been overwhelming, and my team and I want to acknowledge the kindness of all involved.”

John Mulryan, Group Managing Director of Ballymore, added: “This is a heart-warming example of a community pulling together for a great cause. We are proud to have been involved with the initiative and will continue to work with Dan and our local community on the Island to lend our support to those in need.”

The Lockdown Room at was born out of the pandemic in March 2020 as a sister venue to London City Island’s Espresso Room. The latter also contributed to the fundraising, donating 100% of its merchandise sale profits on the day. 

Dan aims to continue to support the fundraising campaign for Ukraine, and has volunteered his home as part of the UK government’s ‘Homes for Ukraine’ appeal. Anyone wishing to support his efforts can donate to the Lockdown Room’s Just Giving page here.