Fear.


The picture above was taken in Kherson at about 3pm yesterday. This scene could be replicated throughout Kherson at this time of the afternoon.
Two more people died so far today in Kherson due to shelling. A city of some 300,000 before the war, now down to about 50,000. The streets are deserted. The result of Russian terrorism. 
And yet.....life goes on.
I went to Kherson yesterday delivering aid. First I delivered the flour, that had kindly been donated by Hell's Kitchen in Kharkiv. Anastasiia and I unloaded this.....puffing a bit at the exertion. Back still hurting this evening.
We also unloaded 30kg of dog food bought with money donated specifically for this by a resident in Trawden. This will be collected by a woman running a dog shelter tomorrow. 

And then with monies donated we went to a shop selling domestic products. Anastasiia was in charge of the purchasing process, having asked her local community what was most needed......after the first half hour I realised why I hate shopping. However, everyone in the shop helped, packing stuff into boxes and then, probably noticing my age, loading it into the car.

Finally unloaded it into Anastasiia's little warehouse. Here she will divide it up and give to families.
I was also able to revisit the UNICEF centre where we used to work. I was reunited with some of the children we know. Again underground, as an air raid siren had gone off .It was  wonderful to see the children again.
I suppose what I'm trying to say is that through the horrors of what Putin is doing, the small kindnesses of life go on. People still care. People still natter, look for bargains and laughter. It was wonderful to hear some of Anastasiia's husbands mishaps,  shortly after they recently got married. The car ringing with laughter. I hope we continue to hear laughter.

Thank you to all who have donated and continue to donate. It's very much appreciated by the communities you help.

To make a donation:
1. Open PayPal and, when asked for name of payee or email, enter trawden4ukraine@hotmail.com

Or, if you live in/near Trawden:
2. Use the Ukraine collection box in Trawden community shop.


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