Community busy preparing fun day to raise Ukraine funds
VILLAGERS in Hulland Ward have been hard at work organising a day of fun and games for the whole community to enjoy, and in a bid to raise money for the families of Ukraine.
Hulland Ward Primary School in Firs Avenue will host the event, from 2.30pm on Friday, May 20, which was originally intended to be a jumble sale, but quickly ballooned into a big event which has drawn support from the whole community.
Among the attractions on offer will be stalls selling cakes, plants, crafts and toys, along with countless donations offered up by villagers, and a raffle.
Top prize in the raffle, which has been supported by businesses in and around the village, is a bespoke fountain pen crafted by Hulland Ward’s own blind wood-turner, Chris Fisher, who will be attending the event.
One of the organisers, Diane Smith, explained how the idea for the event started from a discussion between a few neighbours.
She said: “We are all individually and as a community horrified and concerned as to what is happening in Ukraine and we all very much want to help and do what we can for the people and families of Ukraine.
“This started with Lindsay Butterfield asking Lisa Newcombe and I, her two neighbours, if we would help her to organise a jumble sale.
“Lindsay had already supported Ukraine by purchasing sleeping bags, hats etc, that were taken by a lorry to Poland and we very much wanted to do something to help the people of Ukraine.
“It was agreed that this
should be a community event, with all the community coming together. Maureen Evans then joined us.
“We met with Wendy Underwood, headteacher at Hulland Ward Primary School, and discussed holding the event at the school, which she agreed the school would like to be involved in.
“The children will be making posters and games for the event.”
Community groups such as the church, the Women’s Institute the gardening club and the pre-school all leapt on board, and support has even been offered from Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service, which hopes to bring a fire engine to the event.
All money raised on the day will go to Disasters Emergency Committee’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.