It's difficult to think about anything other than the appalling events in Ukraine at the moment.

I distract myself for a while, with my work or whatever, but it isn't long until that gnawing feeling in my stomach overtakes again, and I end up reading the latest developments. I am trying hard to limit my doomscrolling, because even though I believe it's important to keep informed, oversaturation doesn't help anybody.

It's the feeling of helplessness that is the most crushing. That feeling that sympathy is all very well, but what does it achieve? Equally feelings of guilt for living in the safety of the UK, also doesn't help anyone.

So I suppose in trying to be level-headed about these horrific events, yes we do need to be aware of what's going on, but reading constant updates all day and all night isn't the healthiest for our own mental well being.

And if we want to help, the best we can do is donate.

Initiative launched

By following the news cycle these past couple of weeks, the message regarding what is of the greatest benefit to give, has shifted from physical items to money. Cash, given to the correct places, seems to do the most direct good to help suffering Ukrainians - which is what we all want.

Having spoken to a few people who know more about these things than I do, the consensus of opinion of a truly great place to donate money right now is the British Red Cross. One can be confident that money donated here, is making a difference on the ground. As they say on their website, they are part of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which unites 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialists in different areas of disaster response.

As such, in wanting to play a small part in helping where our industry can, Service Dealer is pledging to give 100% of new advertising revenue generated across all titles throughout the month of April to this amazing charity.

This is all additional advertising revenue gained from this Service Dealer Weekly Update, Service Dealer Ireland Update, Service Dealer's website, TurfPro Weekly Briefing, TurfPro's website and the Garden Trader website. All of our digital channels.

Service Dealer owner Duncan Murray-Clarke said, "We are not political, but what we're seeing in Ukraine isn't a political issue - it's a humanitarian crisis.

"We felt we had to do something and thought that donating all new digital advertising revenue earned in April, could be a way of our industry coming together to offer some help to the people of Ukraine.

"For our industry colleagues we hope this will be a way for them both to get across whatever messages they want to the UK dealer network, whilst at the same time directly donating to an organisation that has teams on the ground, distributing aid directly to those who most need it.

"I know first hand how friendly and caring this sector can be, so I'm confident we can raise a significant contribution."

I agree wholeheartedly with Duncan. I think this is a tremendous initiative and one that I hope can generate a decent sum for the Red Cross.

As anyone that's ever asked me anything about advertising will be aware, it's something I know almost nothing about! But even I can put my salesman hat on for this and say it's something worth getting behind. To our industry partners, please do consider taking out a banner or two in April. It's essentially free advertising for yourselves and you'll be helping those who so desperately need our support.

For more information please contact Nikki (details below), who'll be able to help you with prices.

Thank you.