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By Andy Hirst
Huddersfield has rallied round to help people suffering terribly in the Ukraine.
The town’s Ukrainian Club put out an appeal for help … and the response has been overwhelming.
So if you’re doing something to help we want to know at Huddersfield Hub so we can spread the message and try to get you as much public support as possible.
Every week we’d like to do a round-up of what has been going on and also let readers know just what they can do to help. This vital support is needed for people trapped inside Ukraine and for millions more fleeing the country as refugees who now have nothing.
Huddersfield Ukrainian Club has received so many donations ranging from medical supplies to food and clothes that they filled 2,000 boxes – but then needed to move them from Huddersfield to Kings Church in the centre of Halifax from where they will be shipped to eastern Europe.
On The Move Removals and Storage owner Shaun Egdell spent a day with five of his workforce moving them in three vans.
The company is based at Bolster Moor and Shaun, of Cowlersley, said: “We sponsor Linthwaite FC and saw a post on their Facebook page appealing for donations and, as I know a couple of people at the Ukrainian club, I offered to do what I could.
“They wanted to pay but there was no way I’d take a penny and the more businesses that can get behind the appeal the better. We went away at the end of the day proud that we had helped. The need is so great out in the Ukraine.
“The amount of boxes that needed shifting showed the generosity of local people. The work volunteers are doing at the Ukrainian club is amazing. If needed again we will be more than happy to help and keep on doing it. What is happening in the Ukraine will not be short-term.”
Ruddi’s café and shop have baked special Ukrainian cupcakes and made Ukrainian Easter eggs containing lemon sponge, lemon butter cream and lemon curd.
The cupcakes are £2 each or 5 for £8 and eggs are £3.50 each with money from every sale going to the appeal.
They are available from Ruddi’s in the centre of Slaithwaite. Call 01484 766050 for bulk orders if you’re a company wanting to hold a fundraiser at work featuring the buns and Easter eggs.
Staff at Inspirations Florist at the Salendine Nook Shopping Centre have been making handmade Ukrainian ribbons and selling them to raise money for the Red Cross Appeal. Business owner Paul Stevens said £358 had been raised in just one week and his target is £2,500.
Paul added: “We will keep this fundraiser going as long as the Ukraine war goes on. Every penny goes to the front line of Ukraine to help the kids, men, women, pets and families. Let’s make a difference together.”
Elsewhere, crafting has also proved a popular idea. Last week the Ukrainian club teamed up with Crafty Baggage and Crafty Praxis at the Byram Arcade in Huddersfield where earrings, badges and ribbons were made along with felt sunflowers. The sunflower has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.
Local crafter Suzie Blackcat has also made blue and yellow earrings and badges to sell at Huddersfield Ukrainian Club, with 100% of all profits going to Ukraine.
The Grove real ale pub in Springwood has raised more than £3,500 for Ukraine in just six days after local breweries including Lord’s Brewery in Golcar donated free barrels of beer.
The pub is run by Ukrainian landlady Taya Hayes who has close family in Kyiv and her husband, Ian, and they sold the free beer at £5 a pint with every penny going to the appeal. Kind-hearted punters also donated £1,000 into a collection box.
Churches are helping too. There have been coffee mornings at St John’s Church in Golcar and St James’ at Slaithwaite while donations are being collected at St James’ in Meltham. Honley Ladies’ Choir added their voices too with an ’emergency concert.’
Fundraising events coming up
Lepton Highlanders Sports and Social Club on Wakefield Road, Lepton, will be open from 1pm to 4pm today (Sunday, March 13) to accept donations for Ukraine. They are specifically collecting blankets, backpacks, power banks, baby milk, nappies, thermal socks, first aid kits, toothpaste, shower gel and non-perishable food.
An art fair for Ukraine will be hosted at Huddersfield Art Gallery in Byram Arcade by Huddersfield Art Society next Saturday (March 19) from 10am-4pm.
Katie’s Kitchen in Marsden is holding a Ukrainian fundraising meal at Marsden Parochial Hall on Saturday, April 2, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £25 for a three-course meal and drink on arrival and the menu will feature Borscht starter (beetroot and potato soup with garlic bread), mains are chicken Kiev or stuffed peppers with mushrooms, buckwheat and vegetables.
The mains are served with new potatoes, cucumber dill and sour cream, courgettes, braised red cabbage with salad.
British photographer and film-maker Christopher Nunn has worked in Ukraine since 2013 and photos he took in the Donbas region over the last eight years will be on show at an exhibition at Kwas wine shop and bar on Viaduct Street from 12 noon to 10pm next Saturday, March 19.
A ‘Drink for Ukraine’ day at the bar will feature drinks supplied by North Brewing Co with all proceeds on the day donated to the Ukraine appeal.
Next Sunday (March 20) sees a screening of the film Don’t Worry, The Doors will Open by Oksana Karpovych at Northern Quarter, 23 Wood Street, in Huddersfield town centre.
Doors open at 5pm with the film starting at 6pm. It costs £15 including a drink kindly supplied by Magic Rock Brewing but tickets are limited so best buy them in advance from https://www.tickettailor.com/events/northernquarter/667881/
The film was shot over summer and winter on the Elektrychka, a typical Soviet commuter train that travels between Kyiv and several small provincial towns. It features working-class, mostly marginalised passengers.
* Tell us what you’re doing for Ukraine by emailing steven@huddersfieldhub.co.uk and don’t forget to include photos add in your phone number so we can get back to you if need be.
* Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging and copywriting. Copyright Andy Hirst.
