Concert will show town is united with Ukraine

A BARNSLEY businessman who has spearheaded a campaign to send donated items to Poland for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war-torn country has organised a fund-raising music night.

Retired firefighter Henryk Matysiak, founder of United for Ukraine, used his family connections to arrange for nine articulated lorries packed with donated items to be driven more than 1,000 miles to ease the crisis and is continuing to offer support.

Henryk said: “The first phase of the campaign was to get supplies over there and we have taken about 170 tonnes of goods out there.

“The second phase which is now underway is to raise funds to buy ambulances and individual care packs for soldiers on the frontline.

“We are aiming to raise £6,000 to fund this and that’s why these fundraising events are so important – the fabulous support we have had from people has been amazing.

“I can’t recognise enough the supporters from Barnsley and Elsecar who have just kept on going to help – it is beyond what I could ever have imagined.”

The United for Ukraine music night is at Belmont WMC next Friday (October 14) at 7pm with music from Face the Strange, The Deflectors and Atlantic Heights.

Tickets are available, at £5, from the club or pay on the door.

Stainborough Rotary Club is also helping with fundraising by holding a race night at Shaw Lane Sports Club on October 28 at 7pm, tickets are £10 and include pie and peas.

Funds from the race night will be split between the ambulance and care package appeal and Ukrainian families who have settled in this country.