Founder of Chorley based International Aid Trust honoured by Ukraine for decades of aid work

The leader of a charity founded and based in Chorley has been recognised by Ukraine for its ongoing support of the country.

Reverand Bernard Cocker, Founder and CEO of International Aid Trust was deeply honoured recently to be named a Laureate of the Order of St Panteleimon.

The Order is regarded as one of Ukraine’s highest honours for humanitarian service, medicine, charity and mercy—often described as the country’s ‘Oscar for Charity & Mercy’.

Originally the Order was given solely to Ukrainians who had made an outstanding contribution within their own country but since 2024 awards, have been made to those from other nations who have provided "outstanding support in the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom and independence".

International Aid Trust began in Chorley in 1991, the same year they began working in Ukraine.

Today the charity’s office headquarters are in Chorley town centre and their distribution warehouse is in Tarleton, near Preston.

International Aid Trust has now worked in Ukraine for 35 years and you can find out about their ongoing work in the country here.

Reverend Cocker was nominated by the Foreign Council of the Order of Saint Panteleimon in the United Kingdom, and attended the formal ceremony at the Freedom Hall Cultural Centre in Kyiv on Monday 27th July, to receive the award.

Rev. Cocker said: “This prestigious honour does not belong to me alone. It belongs to every member of staff in our offices, charity shops and warehouse, every volunteer who packed a box, every driver who delivered humanitarian aid, ambulances and rescue vehicles, every donor who gave generously, every church that prayed faithfully, to our Trustees and Directors, and to every partner who has stood shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine. To our Ukraine teams who often drive into the most dangerous zones, covering much of the front-line areas delivering supplies to twenty-one hospitals. To our wonderful partners and friends in the military who sincerely and truly appreciate our support - and stand in the gap for our freedom. To our Bishops, pastors and leaders in Ukraine, our youth leaders, our chaplains. And especially to my dear wife Elaine, for putting up with me!

“I accepted this award on behalf of the entire International Aid Trust family, whose love, sacrifice and faithfulness have made this ministry possible for the past 35 years. Above all, we give thanks to God, whose faithfulness has sustained and guided this ministry through every challenge and every blessing. To God be all the glory!

“Thank you, Ukraine, for this extraordinary honour. It has become part of my life’s calling to stand with your people, and, God willing, International Aid Trust will continue to do so for as long as He gives us strength.”

Over the past 35 years, International Aid Trust say they have been humbled to receive many awards and honours, but that this one is especially meaningful because “it recognises their work alongside the people of Ukraine throughout the years of war, particularly since the full-scale invasion, and reflects the faithfulness of so many who have stood with Ukraine in their darkest days.”

This is not the first time the Chorley based charity has been recognised for their work over in the Eastern European country.

In 2024, International Aid Trust was given a prestigious award from military leaders in Ukraine after they had donated more than £13m in aid in the two years succeeding the invasion of Ukraine.

At the end of 2022, The Friends of Real Lancashire group also presented Rev Cocker with the ‘Lancastrian Award’ in recognition of the Trust’s achievements both here in the UK and internationally, including the charity’s ongoing response to the war in Ukraine.

To find out more about International Aid Trust and how you can support their ongoing work in Ukraine and around the world, please visit www.internationalaidtrust.org.uk