Ukrainian Independence Day. And returns...

First of all we want to say to all our Ukrainian friends, may you celebrate your Day of Independence. We celebrate with you.

It feels strange going back to England.

We were last in England back in January. It seems so long ago and so much has happened. The cold and challenges for civilians were enormous. No electricity, no heat. Darkness.

The situation here in Ukraine remains dire in some places, especially in the south and east, and dangerous in many other areas, with regular random missile attacks. The building destroyed below was no further than 100 metres from our apartment.

And in Kherson, the killing and destruction are an everyday occurrence.

We have seen, and felt, the results of these attacks on innocent civilians. It's frightening and for many, it's terrifying. We have seen the looks on children's faces, as missiles and shells explode nearby. There's little we can do, except try to give assurance. 

But we've had many teaching sessions, in schools, refugee centres, UNICEF centres, libraries etc.

 We have probably done ove 500 lessons since we arrived in Krakow. With hundreds of children.

 

With your donations we have been able to supply reading books, pencils and paints, writing books, stationery. Nice pencil case sets etc. 

Hundreds of small hand knitted teddies have been given out, supplied by a Welsh organisation. The teddies were simply loved.

We have also delivered over 40 tons of various, much needed aid, fresh food and canned food, fresh bread and household products, petrol generators and water pumps. Water boilers, candles. Last winter there was little electricity. 

We have delivered medical aid, food supplements and equipment to hospitals that are regular targets. We have delivered aid to maternity hospital.

For older people and people with disabilities, we have delivered continence products.

And much more that we have taken.

And all this is due to you out there, who have donated and continue to donate. You really are part of this. Without your help we would not be able to deliver the aid that we do.

We have already  been planning our first aid run when we return to Ukraine on 9th September. We will continue to be based in Odesa.

I have an awful feeling that this autumn and winter may be even more challenging than last year. Which is hard to imagine.

So the blogs may be more infrequent for the next two weeks. We will see family and friends, and hopefully have a few days of normality. If we have time, we will try to do a shift in the shop after the Bank Holiday.

Any donations given during the next two weeks will be used on our return to Ukraine. It's been an amazing life changing experience for us. But we never forget that this was always an illegal invasion by Putin, with terrible consequences for the civilian population of Ukraine. More than 500 children murdered. And the wider world, with higher food and fuel prices, all suffer. That one country can do this is madness.

The fight continues.