With van fixed, we set off...

...at some unseemly time of the morning, eastwards. A long journey. Seems to be the norm for us.

The first drop off point involved the help of coordinator, I, and her friends/volunteers, N and L. This involved visiting families in their own homes or, as happened with one family, on the street. They allowed us into their homes to share their stories with us. The challenges that they face in every day living. We shared some aid that we had obtained and were able to share with the families some of the monies raised by the Trawden community.

There is simply too much to write about each family to do them justice....one had a bomb exlode nearby, badly damaging their house. They live in this damaged house with a profoundly disabled daughter, who can't keep down solid food, and is getting thinner thinner and thinner because they can't get access to the high protein energy drinks she requires.
Another, a blind couple, survive on £100 a month. From living here we know that is really hard. They are in need of clothes and food, and washing powder. They have little support from the state. And they gave us a wonderful little present of bead animals that they made.
Another family with a disabled daughter and father...the daughter, age 13, as is her mother, is a good artist, and also a guitar player. We couldn't believe it when we were given a painting. And an amazing one at that....a picture of war destruction, resistance and hope.
Finally, a woman with Parkinson's, a refugee from a war-torn area of Ukraine, whose house was bombed,  living with her daughter. Again trying to survive on very little.
All these people shared their lives and stories, and gave us gifts. Words fail me in trying to explain our emotions today. So a message that we received from the coordinator may help..."Today you have given many hope and understanding that they are not alone."

We will continue to do whatever is possible to help Ukraine and the kind people who we met today.

Thank you as well, to those back in Trawden and all our donors. Don't think for a minute that your donations don't make a difference.

If anyone is able to make a donation 
1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com. 

2. Use the collection box in Trawden community shop. 


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